Scott McNeil takes Middle-Amateur title

Scott McNeil worked diligently before the start of the 2015 golf season just so he'd have a chance to contend in the Golf Association of Philadelphia's Middle-Amateur Championship.

When he finished as the medalist in the May 11 U.S. Open local qualifier at Trump National-Philadelphia, he figured he'd have a decent chance.

On a damp, raw day Thursday at St. Davids Golf Club, he found out he was right.

McNeil, 29, kept his focus despite a pair of front-nine double bogeys and hit two big shots on the back nine that led to birdies, giving him just enough room to grab a 1-stroke victory in the 32d Middle-Amateur, the season's first major.

McNeil, who entered Thursday's play with a 3-stroke lead after an opening-round 68, shot a 5-over-par 75, but his 3-over 143 total bested Jeff Osberg of Huntingdon Valley, who carded a 69 for 144. Four-time champion Michael McDermott of Merion also shot a 69 and tied Plymouth's Michael Carr for third at 145.

McNeil, of Philadelphia, called the win "a relief" because he had contended before in the event, which was the motivation for the work he had put in.

"I'm glad it finally paid off," he said. "I've been close before, but for once I put myself in good position and was able to drive the bus rather than riding in the back hoping to get to the front of it."

Double bogeys at the fifth and ninth holes contributed to a 5-over 40 on the front side. Suddenly he was tied for the lead with Stephen Dressel, a member of the host club.

But McNeil was clutch on St. Davids' two back-nine par-5s. He feathered a bunker shot to 4 feet at No. 11 and made the putt for birdie. Then at No. 16, with Dressel having fallen back, McNeil struck a 4-iron from 200 yards to the center of the green and two-putted from 30 feet for another birdie.

He shot a 4 at 16, putting him 3 strokes ahead of Osberg, who was in the clubhouse. McNeil three-putted the par-3 17th and knocked his approach on 18 into a bunker, but the two bogeys weren't enough to keep him from leaving with the championship trophy.

"I think all GAP tournaments are important," he said. "But this is also the start of the season, so you've got to play well at the Mid-Am. You want to get going here and get some momentum. The only way you can win every major is by winning the first one."

Top finishers

Scott McNeil, Bala. . . 68-75-143

Jeff Osberg, Huntingdon Valley . . . 75-69-144

Michael McDermott, Merion. . . 76-69-145

Michael Carr, Plymouth. . . 71-74-145

Stephen Dressel, St. Davids. . . 73-73-146

Jason Loehrs, Phila Publinks. . . 79-68-147

David West, Whitford. . . 74-73-147

David Liotta, Whitemarsh Valley. . . 74-73-147

Brian Gillespie, St. Davids. . . 79-69-148

Brian McDermott, Llanerch . . . 77-71-148

Matthew Mattare, Saucon Valley . . . 76-72-148

Matthew Finger, Dupont. . . 76-72-148

Benjamin Smith, Huntingdon Val. . . 74-74-148

Scott McLaughlin, Comm. Natl. . . 74-74-148