The Florida State men’s golf team has its first-ever U.S. Amateur Champion as Jack Whaley beat Jay Leng Jr., 4&3, over 36 holes to claim the biggest title in amateur golf on Sunday.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” Whaley said in his television interview after winning the championship. “But it’s definitely a huge honor to be able to be part of the names of all the famous people and unbelievable golfers that have come through this golf course and won. Yeah, I don’t really have words for it right now.”
Whaley did have to battle back from an early deficit as Leng Jr. led 2 up after the first 18 holes at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa.. During the break, Whaley went to the putting green with Florida State head coach Trey Jones, who flew to Merion early this morning.
“I think it was just the putting, to be honest,” Whaley said. “I think I holed a lot more putts this afternoon. Thanks to Coach Jones, wherever he’s at, for coming on the putting green with me. I think it was just getting confidence back into my head that I’m a good putter and I can definitely roll it. I think it’s just all down to my putting.”
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Whaley now earns exemptions into three of the four Majors: The U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, the British Open at St. Andrews and The Masters.
The Seminole standout’s father caddied for him all week during the Amateur, and Whaley gave a lot of credit to him.
“I think it all goes down to my Dad. He’s helped me so much this week,” Whaley said. “Honestly, I can’t thank him enough for it. He was just telling me, ‘Just keep going, just keep playing.’ It’s just a huge honor to be able to experience this with my Dad and hole that eight-footer on the last.”
Whaley will now return to Tallahassee to get ready for Florida State’s fall season, stating in his post-tournament interview that he will probably be driving back with his girlfriend on Monday.
Florida State’s Jack Whaley plays a tee shot on the second hole during the finals of the US Amateur Championship golf tournament at Merion Golf Club. (Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)
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