Sandwich, England (AP) — Oklahoma junior Ethan Fan became the first American in 18 years to win a British amateur after committing the late crime with a five-foot birdie putt in the final hole for one victory over Ireland’s Gavin Tiannan.
The Royal St. George match was all square with 31 holes when Fang built up a 2 up lead and Tiannan scored the next two holes with a big putt.
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Tiannan, a sophomore from Eastern Tennessee, fled to the left about 45 feet away and grazed the edge of the cup with a long birdie putt, setting the stage for the fangs.
Fans who grew up near Dallas and played their freshman year in California will travel to the British Open next month and enter the Masters at Augusta National next year.
“It’s probably one of the longest days I’ve ever played,” fans said. “I just hit a really good shot in the last hole.”
The last American winner of the British amateur was Drew Weaver at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s in 2007.
Tiannan led one after 18 holes in the morning, with neither player moving forward on multiple holes until the second half of the match. After Tiannan hit a poor pitch, he remained about 30 feet shorter on him, Fang putts two for a birdie. Fang was up 2 when Tiannan got into trouble from the tee on the 15th and made a bogey.
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However, the Irishman responded in a great way – a 30-foot birdie putt to win the par-3 16th hole and a 17-foot birdie putt lined up the game again on the 17th.
Fang held his nerves with two great shots to set up a birdie and change his plans for the summer. Fang was already suitable for the Walker Cup at Cypress Point in September. This victory may be enough to seal the team’s spot for the seventh-ranked player in the world’s amateur rankings.
But the first is another test of Royal Portrush’s Link Golf for the Open Championship.
“Playing the Masters and Open Championship will be sweet,” fans said. “I signed up for some amateur tournaments (this summer) and I think I’ll cancel them.”
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AP Golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
