Ryan Downes got off to an awful start at the 117th Massachusetts Amateur Championship.
He ended it as the champion.
The 19-year-old Longmeadow resident captured the championship for the second time in three years. The GreatHorse member ruled his home course in Hampden and easily defeated Patrick Kilcoyne of Woodland Golf Club in the final, 7 and 6.
Downes opened the tournament Monday and struggled to a 77. A 70 on the second and final day of stroke play enabled him to sneak up into a tie for 15th. Once match play began, Downes was unbeatable, topping two opponents Wednesday and Thursday and Kilcoyne on Friday.
In the championship match, Downes came out firing, winning the first two holes. He captured a 6-up lead after 14 holes and Kilcoyne was down five holes after the first 18 holes. Downes shot 67 in the morning compared to Kilcoyne’s 73.
The second 18 was owned by Downes as well. He won the opening hole to go 6-up again and was never threatened. The Vanderbilt University golfer adds to his growing trophy case.
He’s the first player in event history to win multiple titles before age 20. He captured the 2023 championship at Essex CC.
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