Wyatt Triumphs in Nine-Hole Playoff at Nebraska Senior Amateur
Final Round Conducted Friday at Norfolk Country Club
NORFOLK (August 28, 2020) - Lincoln's Ed Wyatt survived a nine-hole playoff to win the 22nd Nebraska Senior Amateur Championship at Norfolk Country Club on Friday.
Wyatt, who won the Nebraska Senior Match Play last year, was the first round leader after a round of 70 (-2) on Thursday. He lost his lead early, but made a run on the back nine to shoot a final round 73 (+1). Wyatt finished with a 143 (-1) total, tied with Papillion's Eric Murphy.
Murphy birdied the 17th hole and nearly dropped another one on the 18th hole to post a 71 (-1) . Wyatt, playing behind Murphy, made three birdies on the back nine, including one on No. 15, which moved him to 1-under for good. He made par on the final three holes, also nearly rolling in a birdie on No. 18 for the win.
The two then went into a playoff, with a rotation of holes No. 13, 14 and 18. Murphy lipped out a birdie putt for the win on the first hole, and that was the story of the playoff. Both players had several chances to take the title, but a putt would slide by the lip or one would drop to keep the playoff going.
Murphy and Wyatt went through the playoff rotation twice, and on the seventh additional hole, it looked like it would finally end. Murphy sank a 20-foot par putt, with Wyatt about 15-feet away for his par. Wyatt's putt rolled up the hill, sliding to the right, and dropped in the side of the hole.
Murphy had another chance to close it out on the next hole, the par-3 14th. However, his birdie putt slid by, and Wyatt made another clutch par putt. On they went to the 18th, the fourth time they had played the par-5 on Friday. Both found tree trouble off the tee and had to lay well back. Murphy was short of the green in the fairway in three, and could not convert his up-and-down. Wyatt reached the right greenside bunker and hit a great bunker shot to a few feet. The winning putt finally fell, and 27 holes later, Wyatt was champion again.
Wyatt is a former golf professional, who worked at Hillcrest Country Club for a long time. He regained his amateur status and won in his return last year at the Nebraska Senior Match Play Championship. He joins Mike Krumland of Columbus and Jay Muller of Omaha, as the only players to win both of the NGA's senior championships.
Last year's champion, John Sajevic of Fremont, fell one stroke short of the playoff and a chance at a fifth title. His final round 71 (-1) left him in a tie for third with Omaha's Gregg Vonnahme at 144 (E). Fremont's Stan Darling finished fifth at 145 (+1).
Omaha's Jim Derby won the 65+ Age Division with a 148 (+4) total, while Sajevic and Vonnahme were the co-winners of the 58-64 Age Division. Wyatt also won the 50-57 Age Division.
Final results and more is available on the championship website below.
Nebraska Senior Amateur Championship
About the NGA
The Nebraska Golf Association, founded in 1966, is comprised of all members of public and private clubs and/or municipal or regional golf associations which utilize an approved handicap service recognized by the USGA and provided by the NGA. Our mission is to uphold and promote the game of golf and its values to all golfers in Nebraska. Among the duties of the Association include governance of member clubs and service as their handicapping and course rating authority, conduct of state golf championships, local USGA qualifying & other notable competitions, promotion of junior golf, presentation of worthwhile educational programs and support of allied golf organizations in Nebraska. The Nebraska Golf Association is an Allied Golf Association of the USGA and carries out core services including Handicap Administration and Oversight, Course Rating, Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status, Tournaments and USGA Championship Qualifiers and USGA Initiatives and Community Programs.
