University of Georgia Athletics

Georgia's Spencer Ralston during the NCAA Championships at Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark., on Friday, May 24, 2019. (Photo by Steven Colquitt)

July 14, 2019 | Men's Golf

BLUFFTON, S.C. --- Georgia rising senior Spencer Ralston erased an 11-shot deficit in the final round on Sunday to win the 20th annual Players Amateur and secure a berth in the 2020 RBC Heritage. 

Ralston, a native of Gainesville, Ga., closed the tournament at Berkeley Hall Club with an 9-under-par 63 to wind up with a 1-shot win at 19-under 269. 

Stewart Hagestad, who played collegiately at Southern Cal, was the 54-hole leader at 21-under 195 (on the strength of a first-round, course-record 11-under 61). Ralston found himself after three rounds at 10-under 206. But Ralston rallied on the strength of an eagle and eight birdies on Sunday to finish at 269, while Hagestad signed for a 3-over 75 and wound up at 270.

Ralston will receive the tournament's sponsor's exemption into the RBC Heritage, which will take place in April on Hilton Head, S.C., one week before the Southeastern Conference Championship.

Ralston joins Bulldog Brian Harman (2005) on the Players Amateur winners list.

Rising junior Davis Thompson placed 21st at 10-under 278.

In other news regarding Georgia golfers, rising sophomore Nicolas Cassidy came in fourth in the Georgia Amateur Championship at 1-under 287. Rising sophomore Will Kahlstorf took eighth at 2-over 290 and rising senior Tye Waller placed 11th at 4-over 292.
Wednesday, May 20
Saturday, April 26
Friday, April 25
Thursday, April 24