SANDWICH, England — Oklahoma State junior Ethan Fang held off a late cost Saturday with a 5-foot birdie putt on the ultimate gap for a 1-up victory over Gavin Tiernan of Eire, changing into the primary American in 18 years to win the British Newbie.
The match at Royal St. George’s was all sq. by means of 31 holes when Fang constructed a 2-up lead, Tiernan received the following two holes with huge putts, and Fang received it on the thirty sixth gap with an method shot simply 5 toes left of the opening.
Tiernan, a sophomore at East Tennessee State, missed effectively to the left some 45 toes away and grazed the sting of the cup along with his lengthy birdie putt, setting the stage for Fang.
Fang, who grew up close to Dallas and performed his freshman 12 months at Cal, earned a visit to the Open Championship subsequent month and will get into the Masters at Augusta Nationwide subsequent 12 months.
“In all probability one of many longest days of golf I’ve ever performed,” Fang stated. “I simply hit a very good shot on the final gap.”
The final American winner of the British Newbie was Drew Weaver in 2007 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.
Tiernan led 1 up after the morning 18 holes, and neither participant was forward by a couple of gap till late within the match. Fang two-putted for birdie on the par-5 14th, after Tiernan hit a poor pitch that left him some 30 toes brief. Fang went 2 up when Tiernan bought in bother off the tee on the fifteenth and made bogey.
However the Irishman answered in gorgeous vogue — a 30-foot birdie putt to win the opening on the par-3 sixteenth then a 15-foot birdie putt on the seventeenth to sq. the match once more.
Fang held his nerve with two nice photographs to arrange birdie and alter his summer season plans. Fang was already wanting good for the Walker Cup in September at Cypress Level, and this victory is perhaps sufficient to seal a spot on the staff for the No. 7 participant on the earth newbie rating.
However first up is one other take a look at of hyperlinks golf at Royal Portrush for The Open.
“Enjoying the Masters and Open Championship goes to be candy,” Fang stated. “I had signed up for a few newbie tournaments [this summer], however suppose I will cancel that.”