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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Jonathan Randolph Wins Mississippi State Amateur
6/7/2009 | Men's Golf
GULPORT, Miss. -- Ole Miss men's golfer Jonathan Randolph made a one-foot birdie putt on the final hole at the 94th annual Mississippi State Amateur for a one-shot victory over Rebel signee Thomas Watkins. It marks the Brandon native's first non junior golf title and his first title since winning the Mississippi Golf Association Junior Championship prior to coming to Ole Miss.
Randolph entered the day holding a three shot advantage over Watkins, but the future teammates staged a thrilling battle all the way to the end.
After his final round 73, Randolph finished at 5-under-par 283 for the tournament, a shot ahead of Watkins, who missed 6-foot birdie on the par-4 18th hole moments before Randolph sank his putt.
Through the front nine, Randolph maintained his three shot lead as both players shot 1 over par on their opening nine. Watkins, a 19-year old Madison Central graduate, erased Randolph's lead with birdies on holes 14 and 17 coupled with Randolph's bogey on 14.
With both players tied for the lead and in the middle of the fairway on 18, Watkins hit his approach shot from 156 yards to six feet. Not to be outdone, Randolph hit his shot from 130 yards to a foot. Watkins' birdie effort burned the edge. Calmly, Randolph knocked in his winning birdie putt to take home the title.
"Vindication," said Randolph, who lost a four-shot 54-hole lead in this event last year. "It was a big grind for me today. Victory always tastes sweet."
"I am really proud of Jonathan," head coach Ernest Ross said. "He is now won the two biggest titles in Mississippi, the junior championship and the state amateur. He had a fierce battle with our incoming freshman (Thomas) Watkins. Jonathan hit a great shot to a foot and made the birdie to win by one. There was a lot of pressure in this situation, and he handled it very well. It was a great day for these two young men and for our golf program."
Randolph helped lead the Rebels to their third consecutive NCAA Regional appearance this past season and finished tied for sixth at the Central Regional to lead the team.
