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 Novice.
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 properly to the left some 45 toes away and grazed the sting of the cup together with his lengthy birdie putt, setting the stage for Fang.
Fang, who grew up close to Dallas and performed his freshman yr at Cal, earned a visit to the British Open subsequent month and will get into the Masters at Augusta Nationwide subsequent yr.
“In all probability one of many longest days of golf I’ve ever performed,” Fang stated. “I simply hit a extremely good shot on the final gap.”
The final American winner of the British Novice 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 beautiful vogue — a 30-foot birdie putt to win the opening on the par-3 sixteenth, and a 15-foot birdie putt on the seventeenth to sq. the match once more.
Fang held his nerve with two nice pictures 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 group for the No. 7 participant on this planet newbie rating.
However first up is one other take a look at of hyperlinks golf at Royal Portrush for The Open Championship.
“Enjoying the Masters and Open Championship goes to be candy,” Fang stated. “I had signed up for a few newbie tournaments (this summer season), however suppose I am going to cancel that.”
