July 18, 2009

CORDOVA, TN - Prior to this weekend, UCLA sophomore golfer Gregor Main listed his career high as making the cut in the PGA Tour Buick Open at Torrey Pines in February. "But this is definitely bigger," Main said after winning the 103rd Southern Amateur Championship Saturday at Colonial Country Club. "Getting a `W' in a big tournament like this is much bigger."

Main, 20, the Pac-10 Freshman golfer of the year from Danville CA, posted a solid final round 70 for a 16-under-par 272 total and two-stroke margin over runnerup Taylor Hall of LaGrange GA. Hall had shared the lead with six holes to play, but his double-bogey 6 at the 14th hole left Main with a clear run at the title.

Overnight co-leader Mark Silvers could manage only an even-par 72 and was among a trio four shots back tied for third.

The victory earned Main an exemption to play in the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational, which awards a berth to the Southern Am winner each year. "I'm truly excited about that. A chance to play in my second Tour event is awesome," he said.

103rd Southern Amateur, Colonial CC South Course, Par 72, 7,334 yards. Final Leaders:

Gregor Main, Danville CA 67-67-68-70--272
Taylor Hall, LaGrange GA 68-69-65-72--274
Mark Silvers, Savannah GA 68-66-70-72--276
Bronson Burgoon, Woodlands TX 69-70-68-69--276
Tarquin MacManus, Australia 70-68-71-67--276
Peter Uihlein, Orlando FL 70-68-68-71--277
Sam Saunders, Orlando FL 72-68-67-71--278
Nathan Smith, Pittsburgh PA 68-69-72-69--278
Peter Malnati, Dandridge TN 70-71-70-67--278
Brendan Gielow, Muskegon MI 67-72-71-69--279