Uihlein Has Birthday to Remember


On his 21st birthday, Peter Uihlein wrapped up one of the biggest possible gifts for a golfer on any level, winning the U.S. Amateur.

The Oklahoma State star and No. 1-ranked amateur in the world vanquished a resilient David Chung 4 and 2 in the 36-hole championship final.

Uihlein took a 1-up lead on the second hole in the morning and never relinquished his advantage on Sunday at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.

The deciding moment came on the 34th hole - a short par-4 16th alongside Puget Sound. Teeing off first, Uihlein put his 3-wood drive just off the left-front of the narrow and long putting surface, well within birdie range. Chung got too quick with his drive and pulled it into the deep fescue.

Chung couldn't advance his second very far, remaining in the tall grass on a hillside left of the green. After still not getting his fourth on the putting surface, Chung gracefully conceded the match before Uihlein even hit his second shot.

The two players are now tied 2-2 in head-to-head match-play duels, with Uihlein notching, by far, the biggest triumph out of those matches over the Stanford player.

When asked afterward how he felt after winning the 110th U.S. Amateur and the Havemeyer Cup, Uihlein responded, "Shocked and surprised. It's so surreal."

Accompanying the win for Uihlein is a place in the 2011 Masters, U.S. Open and British Open.

Later on Sunday, Uihlein received another honor, being named by the USGA to the three-man U.S. World Amateur Team. He will join Chung and reigning NCAA champion Scott Langley of St. Louis, Mo., on the American squad. The event will take place October 28-31 at Olivos Golf Club and Buenos Aires Golf Club in Argentina.