Fang 1st American in 18 years to win British Am

SANDWICH, England -- Oklahoma State inferior Ethan Fang held disconnected a precocious complaint Saturday with a 5-foot birdie putt connected the last spread for a 1-up triumph implicit Gavin Tiernan of Ireland, becoming the archetypal American successful 18 years to triumph the British Amateur.

The lucifer astatine Royal St. George's was each quadrate done 31 holes erstwhile Fang built a 2-up lead, Tiernan won the adjacent 2 holes with large putts, and Fang won it connected the 36th spread with an attack changeable conscionable 5 feet near of the hole.

Tiernan, a sophomore astatine East Tennessee State, missed good to the near immoderate 45 feet distant and grazed the borderline of the cupful with his agelong birdie putt, mounting the signifier for Fang.

Fang, who grew up adjacent Dallas and played his freshman twelvemonth astatine Cal, earned a travel to the British Open adjacent period and gets into the Masters astatine Augusta National adjacent year.

"Probably 1 of the longest days of play I've ever played," Fang said. "I conscionable deed a truly bully changeable connected the past hole."

The past American victor of the British Amateur was Drew Weaver successful 2007 astatine Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

Tiernan led 1 up aft the greeting 18 holes, and neither subordinate was up by much than 1 spread until precocious successful the match. Fang two-putted for birdie connected the par-5 14th, aft Tiernan deed a mediocre transportation that near him immoderate 30 feet short. Fang went 2 up erstwhile Tiernan got successful occupation disconnected the tee astatine the 15th and made bogey.

But the Irishman answered successful stunning manner -- a 30-foot birdie putt to triumph the spread connected the par-3 16th, and a 15-foot birdie putt connected the 17th to quadrate the lucifer again.

Fang held his nervus with 2 large shots to acceptable up birdie and alteration his summertime plans. Fang was already looking bully for the Walker Cup successful September astatine Cypress Point, and this triumph mightiness beryllium capable to seal a spot connected the squad for the No. 7 subordinate successful the satellite amateur ranking.

But archetypal up is different trial of links play astatine Royal Portrush for The Open Championship.

"Playing the Masters and Open Championship is going to beryllium sweet," Fang said. "I had signed up for a mates of amateur tournaments (this summer), but deliberation I'll cancel that."