Andy Ogletree wins U.S. Amateur Championship on 35th hole

Georgia Tech senior Andy Ogletree claimed the 119th U.S. Amateur Championship on the 35th hole at Pinehurst on Sunday, defeating his opponent, fellow college senior John Augenstein, 2&1.

It was a long day of golf that was played over two different courses for the first time in the championship’s history. The morning 18 was played on Pinehurst Course No. 4. Augenstein never trailed and was 2 up at the halfway point. After a two-hour break, the duo took on the famed Pinehurst Course No. 2 for the afternoon 18.

Ogletree continued to battle until the 31st hole, when he tied the match for the first time since the opening hole. From that point on, he never looked back, going 1 up on the following hole, and securing his victory with a par on the par-3 35th hole to end the match 2 up.

The win is significant for several reasons. Ogletree is the first U.S. Amateur winner from the state of Mississippi. He’s also the first U.S. Amateur finalist from Georgia Tech since Matt Kuchar in 1997. Both Ogletree and Augenstein have earned invitations to next year’s U.S. Open at Winged Foot, as well as the Masters. Ogletree will also have a spot waiting for him on this year’s Walker Cup team, as well as an invitation to next year’s Open Championship.

If all that isn’t cool enough, there’s one more perk Ogletree can enjoy at next year’s Masters: an Augusta pairing with this year’s champ, Tiger Woods. In all, not a bad way to cap a week of great golf!

To receive GOLF’s all-new newsletters, subscribe for free here.