Preston Summerhays wasn’t supposed to be in Pennsylvania this week.
Originally, he was scheduled to defend his U.S. Junior Amateur title at Hazeltine National in Chaska, Minnesota. But after the USGA canceled the championship in April, the 18-year-old Summerhays decided to sign up for the Sunnehanna Amateur, which had moved its dates from June 17-20.
He’s glad he did.
On Friday, Summerhays fired a 5-under 65 to win the prestigious amateur event with a tournament-record-tying 14-under total, three shots better than Texas sophomore Travis Vick, who closed in 63 at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown.
Summerhays, regarded as one of the top prospects in the Class of 2021 and verbally committed to Arizona State, shot 66 on Thursday to grab the 54-hole lead before making six final-round birdies, including birdies on each of his last two holes to pull away from his challengers.