It took two extra days, but a U.S. Mid-Amateur champion was finally crowned Saturday morning at Erin Hills.
Heavy rains early in the championship extended the competition and caused the all-Irish final – fitting considering Erin is Gaelic for Ireland – to be played over two days for the second straight year. Matthew McClean, a 29-year-old optometrist, led 2 up after 18 holes over his 25-year-old countryman Hugh Foley on Friday evening before the two headed back to their shared residence, the house of Foley’s caddie Dan Benedum, to rest up for Saturday’s finish.
McClean never let Foley cut into his overnight lead, leading 4 up with nine holes to play and birdieing the par-4 30th hole to move to 5 up.