Ethan Fang conquers Amateur Championship in thrilling finale at Royal St George's
Set against the iconic backdrop of Royal St George's in England, this historic championship, first played in 1885 and run by The R&A, brought together the finest amateur talents from around the world. Out of 288 competitors representing 45 nations, it all came down to two players, one unforgettable duel, and 36 holes of relentless pressure.
Fang, currently ranked No. 7 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), started as a favourite. But his opponent, Ireland's Gavin Tiernan, ranked 1,340th, refused to play to the script. The 19-year-old produced a masterclass in tenacity and shot-making, forcing Fang to dig deep.
'It feels great. Still doesn't feel real yet. But I'm sure it'll kick in, and I'll celebrate with my team,' said Fang moments after sinking the winning putt.
The win does more than just cement Fang's legacy in amateur golf. It catapults the Oklahoma State University student into the global spotlight with automatic entries into The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, the US Open, and - in a dream come true for any golfer - a traditional invitation to The Masters. He'll also tee it up in the British Masters, hosted by Nick Faldo, on the DP World Tour.
Two Young Stars, One Champion
From the first tee shot to the final putt, this match was a seesaw battle filled with momentum shifts and clutch performances. Tiernan was the early aggressor, taking a one-up lead in the morning session with steady, composed golf.
Despite battling nerves, Fang clawed back into the match with a conceded eagle on the 14th. But Tiernan responded quickly, regaining the lead before the lunch break with a brilliant tee shot on the par-3 16th that set up a birdie.
The Irish talent never trailed in the first 18 holes, but the afternoon belonged to Fang.
Emerging from lunch with renewed focus, the American made his move on the 23rd hole. Just as he pulled ahead, Tiernan responded again - this time with his own conceded eagle on the 25th. They turned onto the final nine holes locked all square, neither willing to blink.
Then, Fang edged in front. Two holes up with just three to play, it seemed the title was within his grasp. But Tiernan, already a hero among the gathered fans, produced a stunning response by sinking back-to-back long-range birdie putts on the 34th and 35th holes to draw level once more.
And so, with everything on the line, they walked to the 36th tee. Fang delivered two pure strikes to set up a nerveless five-foot birdie. Tiernan's own attempt narrowly missed. With thousands watching at the famous course, and countless more online, Fang calmly drained the winner.
'I was hitting it well all day, and I knew if I just stayed in it, some putts would drop, kind of have him work for it, and it ended up working out,' said Fang.
'I heard going into the week that an American hasn't won this championship in ten-plus years. Representing your flag, that's what it's all about, and I'm glad we did it for USA.'
'The Masters, The Open… I'm just glad it's all done now, and I can just take a second to think about everything I did this week and just kind of enjoy it. It's probably the most consistent golf I've played in my life. It's a super long championship, and it just feels really good to finally get it done.'
A Star Among Legends
Fang now joins an elite group of past champions, including Sir Michael Bonallack, Jose Maria Olazabal, Sergio Garcia, and Aldrich Potgieter. Dubai-based Garrick Porteous, who captured the title in 2013 and now works with ProSports International, also adds a local Middle East link to this storied list.
Ethan Fang's triumph is more than just a personal milestone, t's a signal to the professional game that a new talent has arrived, battle-tested and ready to take on the sport's biggest stages.
What's next for the newly crowned champion? A ticket to golf's grandest theatres, and a chance to turn amateur glory into global success.
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