Wilson Claims Elusive USGA Title With U.S. Senior Amateur Triumph
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2018-09-03
By DAVID SHEFTER, USGA
EUGENE, Oregon — Jeff Wilson no longer has to answer questions about not winning a USGA championship.
On an overcast day at Eugene Country Club, Wilson, 55, of Fairfield, Calif., became the first medalist in 31 years to win the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, claiming the 64th edition with a 2-and-1 victory over defending champion Sean Knapp, 56, of Oakmont, Pa.
Wilson played the equivalent of 4-under-par golf – with the usual match-play concessions – over the final eight holes to beat Knapp, who was vying to become the first repeat champion since William C. Campbell in 1979-1980.
“How is this his first [USGA] win?” a gracious Knapp asked rhetorically near the 17th green. “Anybody that’s played amateur golf at a high level has known Jeff Wilson. He’s a superstar. You did not see a senior golfer out there. You saw one of the best amateur golfers in the country.”