Seventeen-year-old Hamilton Coleman of Augusta, Georgia, proved he has some serious talent. He won the championship in the U.S. Junior Amateur that took place at Trinity Forest. Then on the 35th hole, he made a big 15-footer for birdie. This stunning stroke gave him the win over Minh Nguyen of Vietnam, capping off the hard-fought 36-hole match 2 and 1.
In the championship match, Coleman shot out to an imposing early lead. By the conclusion of the first 12 holes during the morning session, he was 5 up. Nguyen staged a valiant comeback, winning three of the next four holes to pull within one. As they hit the back nine, Coleman suddenly found himself clinging to a precarious 1-up lead with just four holes left to play.
Nguyen fought hard, making birdie chances from 12 feet to square the match. He wasn’t able to make it happen, giving Coleman a narrow lead to continue holding onto. Coleman’s calm coolness over the course of the evening was reflective as he zeroed in on taking his best looks.
“I just needed to stay aggressive and continue to knock down quality shots,” said Coleman following his championship win.
That is a historical win, guaranteeing Coleman’s place in junior golf history. It earns him an exemption into next year’s hallowed U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. He hopes to take his golf career all the way through college, with hopes of playing for the University of Georgia.
Nguyen, who will join fellow OGA junior Meyer Coggins in taking his golf talents to Oregon State next year, showed extreme grit throughout the playoff contest. Though he started behind the 8-ball, he showed that he could make a race with Coleman with his impressive showing.
Yeah, it got a bit hairy at times, you never saw me giving up hope. I’m not scared,” I told my caddie, who was on this two-green adventure. I was really proud of that,” Coleman looked back on the competitive pressure and world record-breaking competition.
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