Kent resident Oakley Murphy captured the Golf Channel Am Tour national championship on Wednesday in the championship flight on the PGA West course in La Quinta, Calif.
Murphy followed up a disappointing opening-round of 82 with rounds of 71, 68 and 73 to win his first national title in the flight (handicap 3.9 or less).
A clutch five-foot par save on his final hole on the Palmer Private course forced a playoff with defending champion Paul Erdman, of Erie, Colo., and Murphy prevailed on the first extra hole.
“I like the pressure,” said Murphy. “I like playing the game. It’s hard to go low when it’s windy, so I just tried to hang in there and make par.”
Murphy, who credits his grandpa for introducing him to the game while he was in high school, called his national victory his top golf achievement this far.
Nearly 650 players made up the largest field in Am Tour history, representing 47 states, Puerto Rico and Canada.
The 72-hole national championships served as the tour’s culminating event and were contested on four PGA West courses.
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