Not even Hollywood could have scripted a crazier ending to the U.S. Amateur on Sunday. In an epic duel at famed Riviera Country Club, Doc Redman defeated Doug Ghim in 37 holes during the championship match to claim the coveted U.S. Amateur title.
A 19-year-old Clemson Univesity sophomore, Redman found himself down two with two to play against University of Texas senior Ghim when he hit a 3-wood to 60-feet on the par-5 17th. In the 34 holes prior, Redman was lights out with the putter, running off 12 straight one-putts in the morning session and already canned three putts outside 30 feet during the afternoon.
In the 34 holes prior, Redman was lights out with the putter, running off 12 straight one-putts during the morning session. He had already canned three putts outside of 30 feet during the afternoon as well.
Needing to make the putt to guarantee another hole, Redman miraculously drained the long-range putt to win the hole and continue the match.
Doc Redman needed to win hole No. 35 to keep the match going. So he made eagle. To No. 36 we go. #USAmateur https://t.co/vNk8PXKxqR
— USGA (@USGA) August 20, 2017
On 18, Redman hit his approach around some eucalyptus trees and knocked it to nine feet. Again, in a do-or-die moment, Redmond knocked it in, winning the hole with a birdie to even the match and force extra holes.
Clutch play from Doc Redman. Another must make, another center-cut putt. We’re headed to extra holes. #USAmateur https://t.co/lGDXjJzKw0
— USGA (@USGA) August 20, 2017
The pair went back to The Riv’s famous short par-4 10th. Redman striped his drive just short of the green while Ghim hooked his ball into the deep stuff left of the fairway. In the end, Ghim wasn’t able to salvage the hole and conceded the match to Redman, handing him the title.
“It’s incredible to add my name to the list of all the incredible champions already, and to have conquered arguably the best field in amateur golf, and a really difficult grind, too,” Redman said. “I beat some of the best players in the world, and I hope this can vault me up into that conversation as well going forward.”
Redman gets a full exemption into the 2018 U.S. Open, the next 10 U.S. Amateurs, and invitations to The Masters and The Open.
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