Powerful finish gets Ryan Moore home at US Amateur
BY Bruce Young | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2004 US Amateur Championship | Wrap | 23 Aug 2004
For the second time in four days, the brilliant Washington Amateur Ryan Moore has had to produce a Houdini act to win a match at the US Amateur. This time however, it was the final and this time he did it on his own merits rather than with the help of his opponent as had been the case in this third round match against Australian Aron Price.
When Moore went three down through twenty five holes of his match against Georgia’s Luke List, it was clear he would need to pull something out of the hat if he was to fulfil the predictions of many, which had him winning this final comfortably.
He had been three down against Price with just five to play so there was no need for panic yet. Mind you Price contributed to his own demise playing the last five holes in seven over to allow Moore to snatch victory.
This time however, the fight would be tougher but Moore called on his considerable talent to play the last eleven holes in four under, including consecutive birdies at the 35th and 36th holes to win 2 up.
It was great golf from the game’s hottest amateur, 21-year-old Moore, who had also led the qualifying here. He adds this great title to the Western Amateur, the Sahalee Players Championship and the US Public Links making him the first player to ever win both the US Public Links and US Amateur in the same year.
Moore was never ahead in the match until it counted and now has exemptions to the 2005 US Masters, the US Open and the British Open Championship.
While disappointed in defeat List acknowledged that this had been his best ever performance and that he had lost to a great champion.
