From The Associated Press
UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. —
The top-ranked amateur in the world now has a title worthy of his lofty ranking.
Oklahoma State’s Peter Uihlein also has quite the 21st birthday celebration awai-ting.
Uihlein won the 110th U.S. Amateur Sunday, holding off yet another back-nine charge from Stanford’s David Chung for a 4 and 2 victory at Chambers Bay and the biggest in Uihlein’s young career.
Ranked No. 1 in the world by the Royal & Ancient, Uihlein has been considered one of the top young players in the world for many years, but had yet to capture a major championship until now.
“It’s definitely the best birthday present I’ve ever had in my life,” Uihlein said. “I’m looking forward to going back home tonight and seeing the boys and having a good time.”
Uihlein was leading by two following the first 18 holes in the morning, then held on during the afternoon 18 holes as Chung once again tried to make a charge on the back nine. Seeing a four-hole lead cut to two, Uihlein made a 20-foot birdie putt to win the 14th and nearly ended the match at No. 15, leaving his putt on the lip.
Uihlein finally managed to finish off Chung on the 34th hole when Chung’s tee shot on the drivable par-4 16th hole went into the deep, fescue grass. Chung tried to flop his second shot near the pin, but caught too much grass and sent the shot flying over the back of the green.
Chung took off his white Stanford cap and conceded the hole, and match, when his third shot out of the deep grass came up short.
