BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A busy summer has brought another Championship to sophomore Alex Carpenter's trophy case winning The Southern Amateur this weekend at Shoal Creek. Carpenter recorded a birdie-eagle finish on 16 and 17 to vault him to a one stroke victory.
Seven birdies in the final round and only two bogeys gave Carpenter a -7 (65) to leap past the leaders. His eagle on 17 put him in the lead after he dropped a 65 foot putt allowing him to par out on 18 for a one stroke win.
“This is the best field I've ever played against,” said Carpenter. “Everywhere I looked this week I saw players I've heard about.”
Among those were Alabama All-American Bud Cauley and world No. 1-ranked Russell Henley of Georgia. Those and California teen Patrick Cantley swapped the lead most of the day until Carpenter zipped past them down the stretch.
The win also earns Carpenter an exemption into Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Invitational next March in Orlando, Florida where Ernie Els was 2010 Champion.
