Pierson Prevails in Playoff to Win Senior Amateur at New Jersey National
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Patrick Pierson of Darlington Country Club claimed the 67th Senior Amateur Championship presented by Dunning Golf following a playoff 18 holes on Tuesday at New Jersey National Golf Club. Pierson finished with a two-day total of 9-over par 153, and outlasted Gregg Angelillo and Nick Desai in a playoff to capture the title.
“It feels really good to finally win again, it’s been a couple of years. This is my first New Jersey championship and it’s a great feeling,” said Pierson.
Pierson, who started the day four back of the leader, came out of the gate strong with three birdies through his first five holes to put himself in position near the top of the leaderboard.
“I definitely relied on my iron-play which was really good today,” said Pierson. “Putting on these greens is hard so you expect to three-putt a couple of times but I hit some really good iron shots today and drove it well.”
After a steady back-nine given the conditions, Pierson was forced to wait for the final few groups to roll in as he awaited his fate following his second round 3-over par 75. Angelillo and Desai, both of Baltusrol Golf Club, joined Pierson at 9-over setting up a hole-by-hole playoff.
Teeing off the 10th hole, Pierson hit one down the middle of the fairway and knocked his approach shot to just a few feet from the pin to set himself up in great position against a few familiar opponents.
“I just tried to hit fairways and greens. I was first to hit and once I hit the fairway I was able to hit first and put a little of pressure on those guys because I hit it close and it worked out,” said Pierson. “It’s always good to see the guys you grew up playing golf as you get older and we just love to compete.”
Pierson would end up making a solid two-putt par to claim the 67th New Jersey Senior Amateur title at New Jersey National Golf Club. Desai and Angelillo would share second while Harris Podvey of Knoll Country Club and Merv Smith of Burlington Country Club rounded out the top-five at 10-over par, 154.
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