PALM COAST, Fla. – In his second FSGA tournament appearance, Lance LaCombe came out victorious at the Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Championship after a two-hole playoff against Christopher Kupniewski. LaCombe would open with a 71-72--143, -1 to lead by 3 strokes over
Thad Hudgens and Ty Capps who were tied for second place heading into the final round.
Through the first nine holes during the final round, LaCombe recorded a bogey on the third but quickly bounced back with a birdie on the fourth. Another bogey on the seventh hole left him 1-over (even total) as he made the turn. Capps, on the other hand, struggled with a bogey on the sixth and a double bogey on the seventh, which dropped him to a tie for sixth heading into the back nine. Christopher Kupniewski had a back-and-forth first nine holes, trading birdies and bogeys, but managed to secure solo second place at the turn with an even-par front nine and a total score of 2-over.
Things were looking tricky for LaCombe on the 11th hole. After skulling it out of the bunker, he found himself about 40 yards behind the green. But LaCombe pulled off an almost unimaginable up-and-down to a back pin, saving par. That moment seemed to seal the deal, confirming he was more than deserving of the Championship title.
However, Kupniewski wasn't finished just yet. After making a birdie on the 13th hole and LaCombe bogeying the 12th, the two were tied for the lead, setting the stage for an exciting finish and hinting at a potential playoff. Just one hole later, Kupniewski moved into solo first as LaCombe struggled with three consecutive bogeys on the 12th, 13th, and 14th holes. However, a birdie on the 15th hole brought LaCombe back into a tie for first, and the stage was set for a playoff.
On the second playoff hole, both players would find the fairway, yet Kupniewski would land in a bunker right of the green on his second shot. Kupniewski posted a bogey while LaCombe made par, securing his first FSGA victory.
