(MSGA Media Release)
GREAT FALLS– Billings’ Joey Moore claimed the 102nd Montana State Amateur Golf Tournament. Moore’s final round play wasn’t as sharp as his blistering first two rounds. The San Diego State golfer was 14-under-par heading into the final round and used his six-shot cushion to cruise to a three-shot victory. Moore shot a final-round 78 (+6) and was never in danger on the back nine as he stepped to the 18th tee box up five over second-place finisher Ryggs Johnston of Libby.
Johnston, the reigning champion started strong with birdies on the third and fourth and was two under and narrowing the lead to two as the final group made there way to the eighth hole. Moore found his drive nestled next to a tree trunk and went on to make double bogey on the eighth, while Johnston parred to pull even with Moore. On the ninth, Moore two-putted for birdie and Johnston missed his birdie attempt. From there, Johnston would struggle on the back nine with bogeys on 11 a double on 13 and another bogey on 14. He closed in 41 for a 75 (+3) and finished at five-under for the championship and earning runner up status at 211.
University of Wyoming’s Liam Clancy was in the final group and the Laurel product had the best round of the group, he eagled the third hole and made five birdies getting to four under on the round during difficult windy conditions before finishing bogey, double bogey for a final round 71 (-1) and solo third-place finish at 214 (-2).
MSU-Billings’ Garrett Woodin started hot with birdies on his first three holes. Woodin would go on to make six birdies en route to a final round 71 and fourth-place finish. Logan Lindholm of Kalispell made six birdies including the 18th to fire the low round of the day at 70 and finished tied for fifth at 218 with Hamilton’s Payton Taylor who shot 74.
Helena’s Spencer Williams came in seventh after a final-round 73 for a 219 total. Colton Hudson of Billings was eighth after shooting 77 for a 220 total. Ben Kaul of Great Falls was the low finisher from the Electric City. Kaul shot an under-par 71 for a 221 total. Marcus Drange of Billings shot 76 and Brady Kirkeby of Helena shot 78. Drange and Kirkeby rounded out the top ten tying for tenth at 224.
The low junior player was Matt Hobbs from Polson. Hobbs shot 77-79-75 for a 231 total and was tied for 19th overall.
For full results and more information, click here.
