07/25/26 03:41:00
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07/25 15:39 CDT Maclauchlan wins US Junior in first all-left-hander individual
final in USGA history
Maclauchlan wins US Junior in first all-left-hander individual final in USGA
history
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) --- Noah Maclauchlan of Moseley, Virginia, beat Miles
Russell of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, 6 and 5 in the U.S. Junior Amateur on
Saturday in the first all-left-hander individual final in USGA history.
The 18-year-old Maclauchlan --- No. 2,047 in the world amateur ranking ---
joined Brian Harman (2003) and Cory Whitsett (2007) as the only left-handed
winners in the event.
Maclauchlan earned a spot next year in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Both
finalists are exempt next month in the U.S. Amateur at Merion, although Russell
was already in that field.
Maclauchlan will be a freshman this year at Liberty University. Russell --- the
highest-ranked player in the field at No. 7 --- plans to begin play at Florida
State in 2027.
On Saturday on the Old Course, Maclauchlan tied the match with a par win on the
par-4 16th, then took Nos. 17, 19, 21, 23, 24 and 28 --- all with birdies ---
for a 6-up lead. Russell won the par-3 29th with a par, and Maclauchlan ended
it with an 8-foot birdie putt on par-4 31st.
A few weeks ago, Maclauchlan thought his chance to play at Saucon Valley was
dashed when he was the first alternate in the Portsmouth, Virginia, qualifier.
But then Rawlin Sutter, one of the Portsmouth qualifiers, won the Alabama State
Boys Junior, thus giving the spot to Maclauchlan.
Maclauchlan's younger brother, Liam, caddied for his brother after missing the
cut for match play. Liam Maclauchlan is a 2027 Virginia commit.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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