GOLF | Farnam Wins Illinois State Amateur Championship
7/19/2019 1:11:00 PM | Men's Golf
Rising junior Ethan Farnam finished first at the amateur tournament in his home state.
WHEATON, Ill. — Gaels' rising junior Ethan Farnam earned an impressive piece of hardware this week as he won the 89th Annual Illinois State Amateur Championship on Thursday at Cantigny Golf Course.
It was the second time Farnam has claimed individual honors at an amateur tournament in his home state as he also won the 2015 Illinois State Junior Amateur Championship while in high school.
"It feels amazing to finally be back on top of the leaderboard again," said Farnam after his win.
The lefty entered Thursday's round four strokes back of the leader, Illinois State senior David Perkins, but shot the best round of the day, a 3-under 69, to take the title. Farnam was the only competitor in the tournament to shoot below par each round as he finished with scores of 69-70-69.
"I've been playing well coming into the tournament and knew if I played my game, I would have a great chance to shoot a low number."
The biggest momentum swing during the final round was on the par 3 13th where Farnam's shot off the tee blocks landed on the edge of the green and the opposite side of the pin. Rather than trying for a conserative two-putt, the Crystal Lake, Ill. native went for it all and sank a 70-foot putt for a birdie. Perkins would end up double bogeying the same hole, giving Farnam a lead he would not relinquish.
After transferring from Northwestern, Farnam played an integral role with the Gaels in his first year in Moraga. The sophomore started all 13 tournaments and led his team with three top-10 finishes. Farnam also posted the third best stroke average on the team and came in fourth place at the Arizona Intercollegiate in January.
A video recap of the final round can be found by clicking here. The final leader board can be viewed here.
It was the second time Farnam has claimed individual honors at an amateur tournament in his home state as he also won the 2015 Illinois State Junior Amateur Championship while in high school.
"It feels amazing to finally be back on top of the leaderboard again," said Farnam after his win.
The lefty entered Thursday's round four strokes back of the leader, Illinois State senior David Perkins, but shot the best round of the day, a 3-under 69, to take the title. Farnam was the only competitor in the tournament to shoot below par each round as he finished with scores of 69-70-69.
"I've been playing well coming into the tournament and knew if I played my game, I would have a great chance to shoot a low number."
The biggest momentum swing during the final round was on the par 3 13th where Farnam's shot off the tee blocks landed on the edge of the green and the opposite side of the pin. Rather than trying for a conserative two-putt, the Crystal Lake, Ill. native went for it all and sank a 70-foot putt for a birdie. Perkins would end up double bogeying the same hole, giving Farnam a lead he would not relinquish.
WOW 😱 check out Ethan Farnam's 70-foot birdie putt at the Illinois State Amateur Championship yesterday! (video courtesy of @CDGAGolf)
— Saint Mary's Golf (@SMC_Golf) July 19, 2019
Farnam came from behind on the final day to win the 89th annual tournament 🙌 Recap coming soon. #GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/p3QF2IeTGi
After transferring from Northwestern, Farnam played an integral role with the Gaels in his first year in Moraga. The sophomore started all 13 tournaments and led his team with three top-10 finishes. Farnam also posted the third best stroke average on the team and came in fourth place at the Arizona Intercollegiate in January.
A video recap of the final round can be found by clicking here. The final leader board can be viewed here.
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