Three days ago, Cole Hammer was 225 miles north of Miami at a practice session with 15 other amateurs who have caught the U.S. Golf Association’s attention for selection to the 2021 Walker Cup team. Hammer, who played on the U.S. team in 2019, has helped his case at the South Beach International Amateur.
Hammer began pulling away at Miami Beach Golf Club on Monday afternoon. He had nine birdies in a 9-under 62 that bumped him to 14 under and the top of the leaderboard. His approach at the par-4 18th gave him a 25-footer for birdie at 61 but Hammer two-putted for par instead.
A third-round 62 was more than enough to do the trick.
Hammer from the 18th tee, needs birdie to tie the course record! @TexasMGolf pic.twitter.com/W5ZXtLkpz4
— SBIA (@SBIA_Official) December 21, 2020
Hammer, who has had middling results so far this summer (a missed cut at the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open among them), opened with rounds of 67-69 at this event. He was seventh entering the third round, trailing co-leaders Frankie Capan and Ben Smith by three shots. Smith had even-par 71 on Monday and managed to gain no ground. Capan lost some with his 73.
Scores: South Beach International Amateur
Behind Hammer, a trio of players are at 10 under, including Kelly Chinn, a Duke commit and the AJGA’s Rolex Player of the Year. Chinn had 64 on Monday, a round that included an eagle at the par-4 eighth.
Coastal Carolina’s Zack Taylor and Frenchman Pierre Viallaneix are also in the mix at 10 under.
For his part, Smith remains within striking distance alongside James Piot, recently named the Golf Association of Michigan player of the year. Both are 8 under and tied for fifth.
William Holcomb V, who was stroke-play medalist earlier this month at the Maridoe Amateur, is among a four-man tie for seventh at 7 under. Holcomb, a fifth-year senior at Sam Houston State, has fired rounds of 69-68-68.