Tag: James Piot

Texas tough: Sam Bennett overcomes bizarro penalty as Team USA dominates the Spirit International

Sam Bennett rallied to shoot 3-under par 69 and win gold as the men’s individual champion as Team USA dominated The Spirit.

TRINITY, Texas – When Sam Bennett dug into his golf bag on the first hole of the final round of the Spirit International Amateur Championship, he pulled out a Ping 58-degree wedge that didn’t belong to him.

“I was like, ‘Oh, crap!” he recalled.

That 15th club in the bag, which belonged to teammate Rachel Heck, cost him two strokes for the rules violation. It could’ve rattled the Texas A&M senior, but not Bennett. He’s Texas tough and he’s won enough tournaments already in his young career to know that while he’d dug himself a bigger deficit, he had 17 holes to go and he just had to be patient.

“I knew the Golfing gods would come back and help me,” he said. “I told myself, ‘Let’s just get back to even (for the round) by five.’ I made birdies at Nos. 2 and 5 and then it was just game on.”

Indeed, it was. Bennett rallied to shoot 3-under par 69 for a 72-hole total of 6-under 210 and win gold as the men’s individual champion, bettering Sweden’s Hugo Townsend, a senior at Boise State, by two strokes. Canada’s Johnny Travale (UCF), who held the 36-hole lead, shot 75 and won bronze at 3-under 213.

“I’ve been close this fall in some tournament, coming down the stretch having a chance, and just couldn’t finish it off,” Bennett said. “It feels good to be back on top again.”

The two-stroke penalty, however, proved more costly to the American side in the men’s team event as Team Sweden edged out the American team of Bennett and James Piot by one shot at 3-under 429, as Piot struggled over the final two rounds. He shared a piece of 12th place individually at 4-over 220. Of Sweden’s gold medal, team captain Katerina Vangdal said, “It is a tough course. It is challenging. Every day, we told them, your score is good. Today, they’ll realize they did a good job out there.”

Silver medalists Team USA (left) gold medalists Team Sweden (center) and Team Canada (right) with The Spirit flame burning bright behind them. (Hugh Hargrave)

Paced by the two top amateurs in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Rankings, Team USA ran away with the overall Team Championship to win gold medals. Piot said the women were going to have to carry the Americans to victory and they did just that. Rose Zhang shot a bogey-free 69 and Heck caught fire on the back nine, playing the five holes beginning at No. 13 in 5-under, including rolling in a 25-foot eagle putt from the fringe at 17, and posting 67.

With a three-day total of 11-under-par 620, the U.S. Team won by 21 strokes. Canada took the silver medal at 7-under 641. Sweden took the bronze at 6-under 642. France, the defending champions from 2019, placed fourth at 2-under 646. In all, Team USA won four gold medals and one silver in the biennial team event that consists of five concurrent competitions over 54 holes of stroke play.

“I was proud of the way the kids rallied,” U.S. Captain Stacy Lewis said. “I’m thankful that they came and for their fight when it’s a time they could be taking time off. I really appreciated what they did this week.”

World No. 1 and Stanford standout Rose Zhang took the gold medal in the Women’s Individual competition, her fourth individual title this fall. For the week, Zhang finished at 10-under 206, three shots clear of second place.

“It’s such an honor to play with my teammates and represent the United States,” Zhang said. “This week was just phenomenal.  Stacy is such an inspiration to young golfers like us out there. She’s been through so much, and I’ve learned so much from her. Having her with us this week was special.”

Mexico’s Isabella Fierro, an Oklahoma State junior and the 48th-ranked amateur in the world, won the silver medal, closing with 67-69 in the final two rounds and posted 7-under 209 for the championship. Fierro was particularly impressive on the back nine at Whispering Pines, much of which skirts the scenic shores of Lake Livingston. She was 10-under par with no bogeys on the stretch of holes for the three-day tournament. Canada’s Savannah Grewal took home the bronze, while Heck finished tied for fifth place at 2-under 214 in the women’s individual competition.

Zhang went home with three gold medals in all as she and Heck teamed to win the women’s team competition, shooting 12-under 420. Team Switzerland (-5) grabbed silver and Team France took the bronze.

Canada’s Noemie Pare’ made a hole-in-one on the par-3, 135-yard eighth hole in the final round. The former Barry University standout put a three-quarter swing on her 8-iron, and her shot headed straight at the flagstick. Her ball landed about 15 feet short of the hole, bounced twice, and rolled right in as if it was a putt for her third career ace.

“It had a good line,” she said. “It was a little thin, but it worked perfectly. It went in, then I was looking for my partner for a big hug.”

But no one put together a more impressive round than Bennett, who overcame the early penalty for the extra club with a gritty performance in front of family – mother, brother and grand parents – and friends, although he conceded most of them had left early on Saturday to watch the Texas A&M football game against Auburn. It was a comeback for the ages.

“On the first day, it was cold, and I couldn’t get comfortable out there,” said Bennett, the sixth-ranked golfer in the Men’s World Amateur Golf Ranking. “My swing didn’t feel good. I worked on a few things after the round. Hit a few putts. The last 36 holes, I felt like I was going to be tough to beat.”

And just to be sure he doesn’t forget to count his clubs again, Grandpa Butch promised to help out.

“Every time you play from now on,” he said,  “I’m going to text you, 14!”

Patriotic penalty: Team USA’s Sam Bennett overcomes penalty for a 15th club likely picked up during face paint application

In the process of applying temporary patriotic tattoos, Team USA opened itself up to an unfortunate penalty.

TRINITY, Texas – Call it patriotic penalty strokes.

Team USA’s Sam Bennett, a senior at Texas A&M, was playing the first hole of the final round of the Spirit International Amateur Championship at Whispering Pines Golf Club when he reached into his golf bag and noticed something was wrong. There was a club he didn’t recognize.

It turned out it was a pitching wedge that belonged to his teammate Rachel Heck. That gave him 15 clubs in his bag a violation of Rule 4.1b, which limits the number of clubs a player can carry to 14. The penalty is two strokes per hole and applies based on when the player became aware of the breach.

Team USA assistant captain Alli Jarrett returned the wedge to Heck, who was playing in the group behind the American men. According to Team USA captain Stacy Lewis, Heck figures she leaned her club against Bennett’s bag when she applied stars and stripes temporary tattoos to the cheeks of her male teammates, Bennett and U.S. Amateur champion James Piot of Michigan State.

Heck and her fellow teammate Rose Zhang already were rocking a star on their right cheeks and a heart on their left cheeks.

Asked before the round where their face tattoos were, Piot said, “We debated it but not going to happen.”

But it did happen, and while Heck was applying one on Piot’s face, Bennett must have picked up her wedge and inserted it into his bag unknowingly.

Bennett didn’t let the double bogey at the first dampen his spirits. He birdied five of the next 10 holes to claim the lead at 6 under in the men’s competition.

This story will be updated after the round.

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A world champion rope skipper and rower, strange superstitions, and more: (At least) 80 things you didn’t know about the 80 competitors at the Spirit International

Don’t worry about the next generation of golfers. They’ve got some game and some mad skills too.

TRINITY, Texas – Don’t worry about the next generation of golfers. They’ve got some game and some mad skills too.

Players from 20 different countries are competing in the Spirit International Amateur Championship, dubbed golf’s Olympics. Someday soon, many of them will be household names. Spirit alumni have gone on to win more than 650 professional titles, 25 major championships and have made 56 Olympic appearances. That group includes 16 PGA Tour winners, 27 European Tour winners, 24 LPGA winners and 23 Ladies European Tour winners.

Each country is represented by two female and two male amateur golfers, each of whom had to fill out a player bio questionnaire prior to their arrival at Whispering Pines. They are chock full of fun facts such as that one of the players is a world-champion rope skipper while another excelled at dog-sled racing. Who knew! One girl enjoys doing her makeup in her free time while many have exceptional taste in their favorite movies.

As for your intrepid reporter, he was pleasantly pleased to see that the No. 1 amateur in the world, Rose Zhang, enjoys reading in her spare time. Good to know that at least one young person still likes to read. Without further ado, here are 80 fun facts about the 80-person field.

Team Argentina

Ela Anacona, 21, University of Arkansas: She’s already made eight aces and her career-low round is 66.

Valentina Rossi, 20, Michigan State: Won the 2019 Argentina Amateur and advanced to the semifinals of the 2021 U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Segundo Oliva Pinto, 22, University of Arkansas: Considers Angel Cabrera the greatest influence on his golf game. His favorite band is Queen and his favorite movie is Meet Joe Black.

Matteo Fernandez de Oliveira, 21, University of Arkansas: Won the Argentine Junior Championships at the Under 13 and Under 15 levels, and twice at the Under 18 level. Uses a coin with a hog emblem to mark his balls.

Team Belgium

Rebecca Becht, 19, Stanford University: Won the 2019 Belgian National Junior Championship and will repeat her breakfast from any day that she plays well.

Elsie Verhoeven, 19, Old Dominion: Her favorite food is meatballs in tomato sauce with French fries.

Matthis Besard, 21, Southern Illinois University: His favorite musician is Martin Garrix and his favorite movie is Good Will Hunting.

Louis Theys, 23, Western Carolina: He is very superstitious about his daily routine during tournaments.

Team Canada

Savannah Grewal, 19, Clemson University: Diagnosed with a heart condition at age 14 and underwent successful surgery in November 2020. She won the 14-15 age division of the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals in 2017, and her favorite food is her mom’s Swedish pancakes.

Noemie Pare, 24, Barry University: She can play the violin, piano, drums and guitar.

Henry Lee, 23, University of Washington: He began playing golf at age 6 after going with his dad to the driving range and likes to work out in his free time.

Johnny Travale, 20, University of Central Florida: The winner of the 2019 Tavistock Collegiate Invitational, Travale considers Tiger Woods the greatest influence on his golf game and lists Drake as a his favorite musician.

Team Chinese Taipei

Yi-Han Chang, 20, National Taiwan Sport University: She has earned entry into multiple professional events in Taiwan.

You-Chuan Sung, 20, National Taiwan Sport University: Learned the game from her father, who is a golf instructor in Taiwan, and also enjoys doing makeup in her free time.

Yi-Hsuan Wu, 16: He will not eat chicken before a competition, and his favorite food is tofu.

Yu-Yang Wu (Eddie), 17: He finished third at the Yeangder National Amateur Open in Taiwan, and posted a career-low 65 at the 2020 Spring Ranking National Championship in Taiwan.

Team Colombia

Maria Bohorquez, 20: She earned three wins and nine top-10 finishes over the past two years to earn a ranking of No. 85 in WAGR. She also made the Round of 32 at the 2021 U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Valery Plata, 20, Michigan State: Reached the semifinals at the 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur and was named 2020 Big Ten Player of the Year. She was Colombia’s Under 18 national champion in 2017.

Daniel Faccini, 23, Barry University: Likes to wear only blue when he plays golf, and his favorite movie is Ratatouille.

Juan Camilo Vesga Solano, 19, University of Arkansas: The top-ranked Colombian junior from 2018-2020, he always listens to the same music before each round.

Team Denmark

Cecilie Finn-Ipsen, 23, Florida State: She won the Danish National Amateur in 2019.

Natacha Host Husted, 20, Ole Miss: She always uses the same divot repair tool and Mickey Mouse ball marker when she plays.

Alexander Frances, 24, University of Houston: His best memory in golf was watching Team Europe win the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. His father, a golf professional, introduced him to the game at a young age.

Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, 22, Oklahoma State: Won back-to-back German International  Amateur Championships in 2018-19. His favorite musicians are Ian Dior, Kid Laroi and Machine Gun Kelly.

Team England

Annabell Fuller, 19, University of Florida: Her most memorable experience in golf was playing Augusta National, where she finished 22nd at the 2021 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. She also made the cut in the 2021 AIG Women’s British Open.

Amelia Williamson, 21, Florida State: She is a member of the English record-holding rowing team in the 100,000 meters, is an avid skier and enjoys cooking in her spare time.

Conor Gough, 19, UNC-Charlotte: Participated in the 2018 Junior Ryder Cup. His favorite meal is spaghetti Bolognese.

Joseph Pagdin, 19, University of Florida: The 2021 SEC Freshman of the Year also reached the semifinals of the 2019 U.S. Junior Amateur.

Team Finland

Daniella Barrett, 22, University of Miami: She began playing golf at age 9, and earned two top-10 finishes in Finnish professional events in 2020.

Krista Junkkari, 21, University of North Carolina: Her dad, who was the greatest influence on her golf game, died in 2017. Her favorite movies are Deadpool and Kingsman: The Secret Service.

Elias Haavisto, 22, University of West Florida: She won the 2021 Gulf South Conference Championship and was named GCAA/Ping First Team All-America in 2020.

Veeti Mahonen, 21, Ole Miss: He won the 2017 Finnish Junior National Championship and said representing his country is the greatest honor for an amateur golfer.

Team France

Adela Cernousek, 18, Texas A&M: Her parents were professional volleyball players.

Justine Fournand, 21, University of South Carolina: Named Conference USA Player of the Year in 2021.

Bastien Amat, 19, University of New Mexico: His hobbies include learning about science and space and extreme sports, and he counts all of the Star Wars movies as her favorites.

Tom Gueant, 20, University of Oregon: Winner of the 2019 British Boys Championship. He only plays yellow golf balls and his favorite food is raclette.

Team Iceland

Huida Clara Gestsdottir, University of Denver: Represented Iceland in the 2020 and ’21 European Ladies Team Championship.

Ragga Kristindottir, 24, Eastern Kentucky University: She only carries white tees and always carries exactly three. Her favorite musician is Morgan Wallen.

Lenny Bergsson, 22, University of North Texas: He won the Icelandic Under 18 Stroke Play Championship in 2015.

Dagbjartur Sigurbrandsson, 18, University of Missouri: His most memorable golf experience was his first win on the Icelandic Men’s Tour in 2019. His golfing heroes are Seve Ballesteros and Tiger Woods.

Team Ireland

Sara Byrne, 20, University of Miami: She always plays golf wearing a necklace with a picture of her dog on it. Made a hole-in-one at Lahinch Golf Club in Ireland.

Aine Donegan, 19, Indiana University: She shot her career-low score, a 65 at Lahinch, earlier this year, and her favorite food is a cinnamon bun.

Paul Conroy, 21, University of Chattanooga: His most memorable golf experience is getting to play with former British Open champ Darren Clarke. His favorite food is steak and his favorite movie is Step Brothers.

Sam Murphy, 19, Grand Canyon University: Winner of both the Irish Under 18 Boys Amateur Close Championship and 2021 Kerry Scratch Cup, he also is an accomplished rugby player.

Team Italy

Alessia Nobilio, UCLA: She played in the 2018 Youth Olympics, and counts The Vampire Diaries as her favorite TV show and Tom Hanks as her favorite actor.

Anna Zanusso, 21, University of Denver: Placed 35th at the 2021 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. She enjoys cooking and her favorite food is pizza.

Filippo Celli, 21, TCU: He finished second in the 2021 Italian Amateur Stroke Play Championship.

Lucas Fallotico, 18, Florida Gulf Coast University: He began playing golf at age 2 with his father, who is a professional. His favorite movie is Back to the Future.

Team Mexico

Isabella Fierro, 20, Oklahoma State: She has overcome two wrist surgeries to continue her golf career. She shot 62 in Scotland when she was 11 years old.

Cory Lopez, 19, University of Arkansas: She began playing golf on the beach with plastic clubs. Her favorite band is the Jonas Brothers.

Luis Carrera, 21, University of Central Florida: Learned the game from his father at age 4. He made his only hole-in-one at age 6.

Alex Fierro, 16: He won the 2021 Mexican Junior Amateur, and his goal is to play at Augusta National someday. He has made two aces, one at TPC Scottsdale and the other at TPC Doral.

Team Norway

Julie Boysen Hillestad, 21, East Carolina University: She is a world champion sled-dog racer, along with her mom and brother. She gave it up to focus on golf at age 15.  Her favorite food is Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Emilie Overas, 21, University of Alabama: She earned two top-11 finishes in Norwegian professional events in 2020.

Mats Ege, 21, East Tennessee State University: He won the 2020 Golfweek Moorpark Amateur. He played soccer, handball and golf in high school.

Baard Skogen, 20, Texas Tech University: He won the Norwegian Junior National Championship in 2017.

Team Scotland

Carmen Griffiths, 17, University of Louisville: She calls winning the 2021 Scottish Girls Amateur Championship her most memorable experience in golf. Her favorite movie is Some Kind of Wonderful.

Katie Graham, 17, Iowa Western Community College: Her favorite musician is Post Malone and her favorite food is steak.

Eric McIntosh, 22, Northwestern University: His career-low score is 62 at Crail Golfing Society. His favorite musical group is U2 and his favorite food is Indian.

John Paterson, 21, University of Colorado: His hometown is St. Andrews; he finished fifth at the 2019 Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship.

Team South Africa

Caitlyn Macnab, 19, TCU: She played in her first tournament on her fifth birthday. Her favorite food is lasagna and her favorite movie is The Hunger Games.

Kaylah Williams, 19, Florida State: She began playing golf at age 3 with a plastic set of clubs. She won’t use a No. 3 golf ball.

Christo Lamprecht, 20, Georgia Tech: His most memorable golf experience is getting to compete at the 2017 and ’19 Junior Presidents Cup. He considers Louis Oosthuizen the greatest influence on his golf game.

Kieron Van Wyk, 19, College of Charleston: His most memorable experience was hitting balls with Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods is the reason he began playing golf in the first place.

Team Spain

Carolina Lopez-Chacarra, 18, Wake Forest: She began playing golf to follow her grandparents; she considers her older brother the greatest influence on her golf game.

Teresa Toscano, 24, South Dakota State University: She won the 2021 Summit League Championship and reached the quarterfinals of the 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Albert Boneta, New Mexico State University: His favorite professional athlete is Rafael Nadal, his favorite food is pizza and his favorite movie is Point Break.

Alvaro Muller Baumgart Lucena, 19, UCLA: An only child, he was born in Munich, Germany. He enjoys paddle, tennis and bowling in his free time.

Team Sweden

Kajsa Arwefjall, 21, San Jose State University: Her dad is a former professional golfer and her mom an accomplished skier. Her brother plays hockey for Miami (OH). She is a former world champion rope skipper.

Andrea Lignell, 21, Ole Miss: Her most memorable golf experience was winning the 2021 NCAA women’s team title. Her superstition is she won’t play with a Titleist No. 4 ball. Her favorite movie is Slumdog Millionaire.

Albin Bergstrom, 22, University of South Florida: He won the 2021 American Conference Championship and helped Sweden win the 2019 European Amateur Team Championship.

Hugo Townsend, 22, Boise State University: He was named Mountain West Golfer of the Year in 2021. He qualified for match play at the last two U.S. Amateurs.

Team Switzerland

Carolina Sturdza, 18, Stanford University: She scored a career-best 65 at the Flumsberg Ladies Open in 2020. Her favorite place to visit is Key West.

Chiara Tamburlini, 21, Ole Miss: She is the winner of multiple Junior Swiss National Championships and counts being a member of the winning 2021 NCAA Championship as her most memorable experience in the game.

Loic Ettlin, 20, Mississippi State University: Enjoys walking his dogs, drawing and going to the beach in his spare time. His favorite food is sushi.

Ronan Kleu, 21, University of Iowa: His career-low round is a 61 at his home club in Switzerland. His favorite movie is Cars.

Team USA

Rachel Heck, 20, Stanford University: She enjoys drawing and painting in her free time. Her favorite food is smoothies and her favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption.

Rose Zhang, 18, Stanford University: She also speaks Mandarin in addition to English, and enjoys reading and playing other sports in her free time.

Sam Bennett, Texas A&M: His most memorable experience in golf was playing in the 2021 Valero Texas Open. He played soccer, tennis, basketball and baseball in high school.

James Piot, 22, Michigan State University: He began playing at age 4. Shot a career-low 62 at the Southern Amateur this year. His favorite musician is Morgan Wallen, his favorite food is tacos and his favorite movie is Step Brothers.

James Piot, Rose Zhang pace Team USA at Spirit International; Team Canada leads by 2

James Piot, Rose Zhang pace Team USA during the first day of the Spirit International Amateur Championship.

TRINITY, Texas – During a practice round for the Spirit International Amateur Championship, U.S. Amateur champion James Piot sidled up to his American teammates Rose Zhang and Rachel Heck and let them know his plan for victory.

“You guys are carrying us this week,” said Piot of the four-person American side that also included Texas A&M’s Sam Bennett. “You girls are the heart and soul of the team this week.”

That’s a pretty sound strategy given the immense talent of the two Stanford teammates: Zhang, the reigning World No. 1 women’s amateur and Heck the reigning NCAA women’s individual champion. The two also teamed up to help Team USA win the Walker Cup. On Thursday at Whispering Pines Golf Club, Piot did his part making six birdies en route to an opening-round 4-under 68. That propelled Team U.S. to shoot a total of 6-under 210, and trail Team Canada by two strokes in the Team Championship.

“We really got off to a pretty bad start,” said Team USA captain Stacy Lewis, of what at one time was as many as a six-stroke deficit, “but James and Rose really rallied and kind of saved the day for us.”

The Spirit features a unique format with some new wrinkles this year. The 80 competitors from 20 countries are competing for gold, silver and bronze medals over 54 holes of stroke play competition. Each country is represented by two women and two men amateur golfers. There are five concurrent competitions in play at The Spirit: Team Championship, Men’s Team, Women’s Team, Men’s Individual and Women’s Individual.

In a change for this year’s championship, the Team Championship format uses the best three scores from each four-person team. The Men’s and Women’s Team format combines both players’ individual scores. The Men’s and Women’s Individual format simply is each player’s gross score over the 54 holes.

Piot rebounded from a double bogey at the seventh hole after he tugged his drive left and into the thick stuff. Due to wet conditions, players were allowed to move their ball the length of a scorecard and Piot attempted a hero’s shot that went wrong.

“It was a college-kid mistake, I’d call it, thinking I could DeChambeau it out of there,” he said. “It turned my club over and my ball went into the trees 40 yards left. Making a six was a pretty fortunate break because it could’ve been really bad. I learned my lesson. I’ll just chip out next time.”

Zhang matched Piot’s six birdies, but also matched him with a double bogey on the card as she recorded a 3-under 69. At No. 4, Zhang pushed her drive way right and it led to a double bogey. “I think Rose hit the worst drive I’ve ever seen her hit,” said Lewis. “On days like this when it’s hard that’s when you find out how good someone is.”

Zhang showed her mettle, playing her final 14 holes in 5 under, and grabbed a one-stroke lead in the women’s individual competition over her fellow Stanford teammate, Switzerland’s Caroline Sturdza. Zhang credited her birdie at No. 10 with turning the tide.

“I rolled in a 25-footer,” she said. “I was able to bounce back from a couple of shaky holes when I started out. That hole really helped me turn it around.”

Bennett blamed a balky putter for four three-putt greens as he shot 1-over 73. Heck wasn’t making excuses but said she was feeling under the weather and had been sucking on cough drops all day as she shot an uncharacteristic 5-over 77. (Her score didn’t count in the competition.)

“I was proud of the fight,” Lewis said of her team. “James birdied the last two which was huge and Rose had a good finish, too. We’re still in it.”

Everyone is chasing Team Canada, which may have benefited from its experience in cold weather. Temperatures were hovering in the mid 40s in the morning but it didn’t seem to bother Team Canada, which combined for an 8-under 208 total in the Team Championship competition. The team was paced by Johnny Travale’s bogey-free, 5-under 67.

Travale, a senior at UCF, said four years in Orlando has thinned his blood. He wore four layers on the front nine, including a hoodie for the first time while playing golf that he kept over his head.

“It really helped because when the back of the neck starts getting cold that’s when it is over,” he said.

On 18, he stuck an 8-iron from 165 yards to 6 feet to cap off his round, which also secured a one-stroke lead over Piot in the men’s individual competition.

Travale’s teammate Henry Lee fired a 2-under 70 that included four birdies. Lee currently is tied for fourth place in the Men’s Individual competition. Savannah Grewal’s 1-under 71 was the third score that counted for Team Canada in the Team Championship competition. Grewal birdied the par-4 11th and 13th holes and logged her only bogey on the par-5 12th. She’s tied for third place in the Women’s Individual competition.

Team France, the defending champions from 2019, holds third place in the Team Championship at 2-under 214.

Canada leads the Men’s Team competition at 7-under 137. Team USA is in second place at 3-under 141. Belgium holds third place at 2-under 142.

Switzerland sits atop of the Women’s Team competition at 2-under 142. Colombia and France share second place at 1-under 143.

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James Piot makes Michigan golf history with U.S. Amateur win

Piot is the fourth GAM member golfer to win a USGA national championship in the last 20 years.

Michigan natives have won major championships in golf, played on Ryder Cup Teams and competed on the grand stages of golf like St. Andrews, Augusta National and Pebble Beach.

Until James Piot of Canton, a Michigan State golfer, rallied from a 3-down deficit on the last nine holes to win the 121st U.S. Amateur Championship at Oakmont Country Club there had never been a Michigan native bring home the Havemeyer Trophy.

Nick Carlson, a University of Michigan golfer from Hamilton, made an especially exciting run to the semifinals in the 2016 U.S. Amateur, which was played in Michigan, at our grand stage of golf, Oakland Hills Country Club.

And back in 1956 Michigan golf legend Chuck Kocsis reached the final match of the U.S. Amateur before falling to Harvie Ward. Only Kocsis really wasn’t a Michigan native. He was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and the family that included 14 children moved to Redford shortly after he was born, victims of the historic Johnstown Flood.

Piot, when he rolled in that 20-footer on the 35th hole to save par and close out his 2 and 1 win over Austin Greaser of Vandalia, Ohio, made Michigan golf history with a few exclamation points! 

The week before he has won the GAM Championship for the second time, this time at Franklin Hills Country Club. He said then it would be good momentum going into the U.S. Amateur and that he was excited to see what he could do at Oakmont.

“You dream of it, but you don’t really think it’s going to happen,” Piot said. “But you know, I had some momentum rolling when I won the GAM Championship, and it was like, you know I’m playing well right now. I told myself to stay in the moment, take one shot at time and keep it rolling.”

He rolled, and Michigan’s golf community rolled with him.

Fellow Spartans, teammates and coaches he has had at every level, friends, opponents and just happy golf fans from Michigan made their way to Oakmont if they could or stay glued to a television to cheer him on.

The reactions were filled with joy and respect for his accomplishment.

From Dan Ellis, the MSU associate head golf coach who served as his caddie for the week:  “It is special and you know James Piot is a big deal now. On the board inside they show who has won championships at Oakmont. Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, so it’s kind of cool James will have his name up there now.”

From his head coach at MSU, Casey Lubahn:   “The only limits are the ones we put on ourselves, but when you work as hard as he does, and push up that sand hill, you can get to the top. That’s James. He was calm, he was confident and this is what happens.”

From his long-time teacher at Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center, Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Brian Cairns: “The prize at the end for him is the PGA Tour. Sorry, I’m emotional. I still can’t believe he just won. It’s a stepping stone on the journey to where he wants to be, but what a huge stone. There is just something different about that kid. I’ve been saying that for a long time.”

From his high school coach at Detroit Catholic Central, an accomplished player himself, Mike Anderson: “I’ve been fortunate to have several good players at Catholic Central but James’ work ethic is second-to-none. I always thought he would make it on tour. This though, the opportunities it affords him are incredible. The very best players in the world have won this event. I’m so happy for him, so proud for him and his family. He deserves it. He works and works and works.”

Even Michigan State’s famous basketball coach, Tom Izzo, and its most famous basketball player and athlete ever, Magic Johnson, got in on the celebration.

Izzo texted to Lubahn: “It’s a golf school now.”

Johnson went on Twitter and congratulated him with a “Go Green, Go White” message.

Piot, himself, used Twitter to offer a thank you: “Still can’t believe this is real, thank you so much to everyone who has reached out and all those who have been there to support me from the start. Couldn’t have done it without y’all.”

He added a heart emoji and the hashtag “#GoGreen.”

After the trophy ceremony he was moved that so many people had ventured to Oakmont, a little less than a five-hour drive from metro Detroit.

“Aside from golf, it lets me know I’m blessed to have people that support me in my life. It just means everything to have that. All my close friends and family out here makes it so much better and I’m so happy they were here.”

Piot is the fourth GAM member golfer to win a USGA national championship in the last 20 years. Greg Reynolds of Grand Blanc won the 2002 U.S. Senior Amateur, Randy Lewis of Alma won the 2012 U.S. Mid-Amateur and Tom Werkmeister of Hudsonville was medalist as Team Michigan won the USGA State Team Championship in 2016.

They made some history and Piot historically topped them all. He will be exempt into the U.S. Open, the British Open and probably invited to the Masters Tournament, and he will forever be the first from Michigan to win the U.S. Amateur.

LOOK: Michigan State golfer James Piot throws first pitch at Detroit Tigers game

LOOK: Michigan State golfer James Piot throws first pitch at Detroit Tigers game

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It has certainly been a wild week for Michigan State golfer James Piot. Piot elevated himself into the levels of the professionals on the golf course after winning the U.S. Amateur Championship on Sunday, a win that will earn him entry into the Master’s, the US Open, and the Open Championship.

On Thursday, Piot got to go in front of a nice crowd at the Detroit Tigers game against the Los Angeles Angels and throw out the first pitch (not to harp on the game, but he couldn’t have done much worse than the bullpen did).

Take a look at the pictures below:

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Five things we learned at the 2021 U.S. Amateur at Oakmont

There was a lot to learn from the week at Oakmont.

OAKMONT, Pa. — After two rounds of stroke play and six rounds of match play, a national champion has been crowned.

Down three holes with just nine to play, Michigan State’s James Piot mounted an incredible comeback to flip the marathon 36-hole final match at the 121st U.S. Amateur and defeat North Carolina’s Austin Greaser 2-and-1.

“It’s the greatest feeling in the world. I mean, as an amateur it’s the best thing you can do,” Piot said of the win. “It feels phenomenal. Shows the hard work I’ve done is paying off.”

Outside of Piot’s impressive performance, there was more to take away from the week at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh. Here’s what we learned from the U.S. Amateur.

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Dreams come true

Just look at what the win meant to Piot.

Defending home turf

Americans have played well in the U.S Amateur in recent years, winning nine of the last 15, including the last three. And the guys they beat? Thirteen of the last 15 runners-up have been from the U.S.

Oakmont is a perfect test for amateurs

Earlier in the week players were able to take slight advantage of the famed track just outside Pittsburgh thanks to 2.5 inches of rain over three days, causing four lengthy weather delays. But on Saturday and Sunday the sun came out, the winds began to whip and the greens grew firm.

“I think it firmed up a lot,” Greaser said after losing in the final. “As this place gets firmer Oakmont starts to show its teeth more and more.”

More: USGA declares Oakmont a second anchor site

Oakmont has deep ties to amateur golf. In addition to its record nine U.S. Opens, the club now has hosted six U.S. Amateurs, which ties it with Merion Golf Club and The Country Club for the most. The club will host the U.S. Open in 2025, but we’ll have to wait until the 2033 Walker Cup and 2046 U.S. Women’s Amateur until we see this level of amateur golf played there again.

Throw out the rankings in match play

Rankings are important and have their place in amateur golf, but they’re no indication of who will win the U.S. Amateur. Over the last 10 years, only four players ranked inside the top 10 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking have won: No. 2 Matt Fitzpatrick in 2013, No. 7 Bryson DeChambeau in 2015, No. 7 Curtis Luck in 2016 and No. 5 Viktor Hovland in 2018. And the other six? Piot was ranked 86th entering this last week. Last year’s champion at Bandon Dunes, Tyler Strafaci, was ranked No. 56 and his Georgia Tech teammate, Andy Ogletree, was 120th in 2019. Then there was No. 70 Doc Redman in 2017, Gunn Yang in 2014, who was No. 776 and Steven Fox in 2012 at 127th.

This year, only nine players who advanced to the Round of 16 were in the WAGR top 100: No. 5 Ricky Castillo, No. 26 Jacon Bridgeman, No. 28 Nick Gabrelcik, No. 44 Hugo Townsend, No. 45 Travis Vick, No. 47 Devon Bling, No. 82 Greaser, No. 86 Piot and No. 98 Ross Steelman.

NIL is h-e-r-e

A few players in the field this week were taking advantage of the new name, image and likeness rules, including three from Oklahoma State. KOCO anchor Carson Cunningham shared before the championship that Aman Gupta, Bo Jin and Brian Stark would wear a local Cadillac dealership’s gear for the week. Smart move by Wilson Cadillac, seeing as all three made match play, with Stark making a run to the quarterfinals.

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WATCH: Michigan State golf team celebrates James Piot’s U.S. Amateur Championship win

WATCH: Michigan State golf team celebrates James Piot’s U.S. Amateur Championship win

Michigan State golfer James Piot made history on Sunday when he won the 121st U.S. Amateur Championship. Of course, his fellow Spartans were there to celebrate after his win. In a touching moment, seemingly the entire MSU men’s golf team was there with Piot celebrating after his win.

You can watch the awesome video below:

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MSU golfer James Piot wins 2021 U.S. Amateur Championship

Michigan State golfer James Piot has won the 121st U.S. Amateur Championship

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Now that’s a real Spartan Dawg! On Sunday, Michigan State golfer James Piot won the 2021 U.S. Amateur Championship at the Oakmont Country Club in Bandon, Oregon. The victory, which was the No. 121 of it’s kind, will earn Piot an entry into the Master’s, US Open and Open Championship.

In dramatic fashion, Piot had to overcome a 3-stroke lead from North Carolina’s Austin Greaser to win the gold.

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Three-down with nine to play, Michigan State’s James Piot comes back to win 121st U.S. Amateur at Oakmont

Piot defeated Austin Greaser in the 36-hole final, 2 and 1, at Oakmont on Sunday.

OAKMONT, Pa. — The first thing James Piot told Michigan State head coach Casey Lubahn when he got on campus was that he wanted to be an All-American. Lubahn laughed at first and suggested to start with All-Big Ten.

“I said, ‘No, coach, I want to be an All-American,’” remembered Piot. “I’ve always had high goals, and that’s been something that has driven me from day one, just going over the top, and they’re paying off now.”

Piot, an honorable mention Ping All-American last season for the Spartans, can now add “national champion” to his list of accomplishments. The Canton, Michigan, native took down North Carolina junior Austin Greaser in dramatic fashion during Sunday’s 36-hole final to win the 121st U.S. Amateur at Oakmont Country Club, 2 and 1.

There’s a difference between close matches and good matches, and the morning round was a close match. Neither player had their best stuff early as both Greaser and Piot traded brief leads in their first trip around the famed track outside Pittsburgh. At the afternoon break, Piot held a 1-up lead after earning a conceded birdie on the 18th hole to card a 2-over 72 (with match play concessions). Greaser was three shots worse at 5-over 75.

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In the afternoon, Greaser came out firing with wins on three of the first four holes to flip the match and take a 2-up lead. Piot stopped the bleeding and the two tied the next four holes before Greaser extended his lead with a par on No. 9. Three-up with nine holes to play in the marathon finale, it seemed like the match was Greaser’s to lose. After all, he hadn’t lost a hole in the afternoon round.

Then Piot got to work with wins on five of the next six holes to take a 2-up lead thanks to two birdies and a handful of mistakes from Greaser. The pair traded pars down the stretch before the match ended on the 17th green after a clutch putt from Piot.

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