July 12, 2015

BLUFTON, S.C. – South Carolina rising senior Matt NeSmith sank a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole on Sunday at Berkeley Hall Club to win the Players Amateur by a stroke with a 72-hole total of 271 (-13).

NeSmith fired a bogey-free 65 (-6) to finish one shot ahead of South Florida’s Chase Koepka, who made par on No. 18 to finish runner-up with a total of 272 (-12). With the win, NeSmith earns an exemption into the PGA Tour’s 2016 RBC Heritage in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

A native of North Augusta, S.C., NeSmith entered the final round five shots back of Koepka but made six birdies on the afternoon without a bogey to come back to claim the title, including four birdies on the back nine on holes 10, 13, 15 and the tournament winner on No. 18.

Incoming Gamecock freshman Will Miles also made the cut to the final round and finished tied for 37th with a total of 292 (+8).

HUSKEY TIES FOR 16TH AT CAROLINAS AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
At Greensboro, N.C., Gamecock rising sophomore Keenan Huskey carded a final-round 68 (-4) on Sunday at Greensboro Country Club to finish tied for 16th at the 101st Carolinas Amateur Championship.

Huskey wrapped up the 72-hole event with a total of 279 (-9). Carter Jenkins won the title with a total of 268 (-20).