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University of North Carolina Athletics
The match’s fortunes changed when Greaser drained a 25-foot birdie putt on the par-3 12th hole.
Greaser Wins Western Amateur
August 6, 2022 | Men's Golf
HIGHLAND PARK, ILL.—Austin Greaser, a rising senior at the University of North Carolina, sank a three-foot putt for par on the 18th hole to defeat Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira 1 up in the championship match of the 120th Western Amateur Saturday at the Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park, Ill.
Greaser is the fourth Tar Heel to win the Western Amateur, joining Greg Parker (1986), John Inman (1984) and Frank Fuhrer (1981). Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and Justin Leonard are among the other champions of one of the most prestigious events in amateur golf.
Greaser, a two-time All-ACC and All-America at UNC, rallied twice from two holes down in the finals to defeat Fernandez de Oliveira, a senior at the University of Arkansas and native of Argentina.
Greaser was a semifinalist at the Western Amateur in 2021, when he was defeated by the eventual champion Michael Thorbjonsen. Greaser then went on to finish second in the 2021 U.S. Amateur, which earned him invitations to play in the 2022 Masters and U.S. Open.
Greaser began the day on Saturday by defeating Pepperdine's William Mouw 3&2 in the semifinals. Two months ago, Greaser also edged Mouw 2&1 in the quarterfinals of match play in the NCAA Championship in Scottsdale, Ariz. Today's semifinal was all square through 13 holes before Greaser won the 14th, 15th and 16th holes to advance to the championship.
The Vandalia, Ohio, native fell behind by two after just three holes when Fernandez de Oliveira won the first and third holes. Greaser drew even by winning the fourth and eighth but Fernandez de Oliveira won the ninth and 10th holes to again lead by two.
The title match's fortunes changed on the par-3 12th hole when Greaser drained a 25-foot birdie putt to cut his deficit in half. He then won the 13th, 14th and 15th to take a 2-hole lead with three to play.
Fernandez de Oliveira won the 17th with a short birdie to send the match to the final hole. Greaser hit his approach over the 18th green but chipped to three feet. Fernandez de Oliveira slid a 9-foot birdie putt past the cup and Greaser ended the match by making his par putt.
Greaser tied for 15th place after 72 holes of stroke play in the 156-player field and advanced to match play by earning one of two spots in a seven-way playoff. In match play, he beat Matthis Besard of Belgium 3&2 in the round of 16, Kelly Chinn of Duke 1 up in the quarterfinals, Mouw and Fernandez de Oliveira.
Greaser is one of five Tar Heels – with Ryan Burnett, David Ford, Peter Fountain and Dylan Menante – competing in the U.S. Amateur, which begins August 15 at the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J.
Greaser is the fourth Tar Heel to win the Western Amateur, joining Greg Parker (1986), John Inman (1984) and Frank Fuhrer (1981). Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and Justin Leonard are among the other champions of one of the most prestigious events in amateur golf.
Greaser, a two-time All-ACC and All-America at UNC, rallied twice from two holes down in the finals to defeat Fernandez de Oliveira, a senior at the University of Arkansas and native of Argentina.
Greaser was a semifinalist at the Western Amateur in 2021, when he was defeated by the eventual champion Michael Thorbjonsen. Greaser then went on to finish second in the 2021 U.S. Amateur, which earned him invitations to play in the 2022 Masters and U.S. Open.
Greaser began the day on Saturday by defeating Pepperdine's William Mouw 3&2 in the semifinals. Two months ago, Greaser also edged Mouw 2&1 in the quarterfinals of match play in the NCAA Championship in Scottsdale, Ariz. Today's semifinal was all square through 13 holes before Greaser won the 14th, 15th and 16th holes to advance to the championship.
The Vandalia, Ohio, native fell behind by two after just three holes when Fernandez de Oliveira won the first and third holes. Greaser drew even by winning the fourth and eighth but Fernandez de Oliveira won the ninth and 10th holes to again lead by two.
The title match's fortunes changed on the par-3 12th hole when Greaser drained a 25-foot birdie putt to cut his deficit in half. He then won the 13th, 14th and 15th to take a 2-hole lead with three to play.
Fernandez de Oliveira won the 17th with a short birdie to send the match to the final hole. Greaser hit his approach over the 18th green but chipped to three feet. Fernandez de Oliveira slid a 9-foot birdie putt past the cup and Greaser ended the match by making his par putt.
Greaser tied for 15th place after 72 holes of stroke play in the 156-player field and advanced to match play by earning one of two spots in a seven-way playoff. In match play, he beat Matthis Besard of Belgium 3&2 in the round of 16, Kelly Chinn of Duke 1 up in the quarterfinals, Mouw and Fernandez de Oliveira.
Greaser is one of five Tar Heels – with Ryan Burnett, David Ford, Peter Fountain and Dylan Menante – competing in the U.S. Amateur, which begins August 15 at the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J.
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