Gordon Sargent prevailed in the hotly contested battle for the low amateur medal at this year's US Open at Los Angeles Country Club.
The 20-year-old was one of four amateurs to make the two-over cut at the third men's Major of the year, joining Aldrich Potgieter, Maxwell Moldovan and Ben Carr.
He led the race by two at the halfway mark after rounds of 69 and 71, but a 75 on Saturday reduced his advantage to one, before an impressive one-under 69 on Sunday saw him finish nine clear of Carr. And his four-over 284 total would have been one better if not for a bizarre incident on the final hole that cost him a closing bogey.
To that point, Sargent had mixed six birdies with two bogeys and appeared to tap-in confidently for a par on the 18th, only for his ball to inexplicably bounce out the hole and back towards him.
The shock was written all over his face and the USGA will hope something similar doesn't happen at the business end of the tournament. For Sargent, however, it will be of little concern. In finishing as the highest-placed amateur, he adds his name to an impressive roll of honour and will be part of the closing ceremony late on Sunday evening in LA.
"It's cool," he said. "It's kind of what your goal as an amateur is, just to be the low am, especially with so many amateurs here this week. It means a lot and gives me a lot of confidence, especially going into amateur golf."
As for his thoughts on the 18th hole incident, he added: "I had like a two and a half footer straight up the hill that hit the back of the hole and just bounced right back to me. Haven't seen that happen in a while, but that's how it goes sometimes."
Gordon Sargent getting ROBBED on this putt!😳😳🤯🤯#USOpen2023 pic.twitter.com/LnYEg7m4LcJune 18, 2023
Past winners of the low amateur medal at the US Open include Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Matt Fitzpatrick, Jon Rahm and current World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Sargent's only other Major appearance came at the 2023 Masters, where he missed the cut after rounds of 77 and 76 on his first appearance at Augusta National.
