Indiana Golf Association, WEST LAFAYETTE, IN (June 28-30) –
In a thrilling final round filled with pressure, heat, and heart, Alex Holder of Fort Wayne, Indiana, captured the 125th Indiana State Amateur Championship title at Purdue University’s Ackerman-Allen Course, becoming one of the youngest champions in over five decades.
Battling through three days of intense competition under sweltering conditions with temperatures climbing into the 90s, Holder emerged from a tightly packed leaderboard to hoist the trophy — thanks to a remarkable back nine that featured three birdies and a clutch eagle on the par-5 16th hole.
Holder entered Monday’s final round with a three-shot lead, but nothing came easy. The day opened with challenging starts for many players, and Holder was no exception.
“I wanted to get off to a good start,” Holder said “but I got off to a really bad start today and I didn’t have much going my way. The front nine was really rough.”
That adversity didn’t last. The 17-year-old settled in, remained patient, and slowly turned the tide. “I just kind of kept playing and kept staying patient — there’s birdies out there,” he said. “I think I got settled in a little better on the back nine and was able to ease up and play more of my game.”
Meanwhile, Sean Rowen made an impressive final-round charge from the third-to-last group. Sitting at five-under to start the day, Rowan carded a five-under, 67, bringing him to 10-under for the tournament, setting the mark to beat.
Holder responded with birdies on 10 and 12, but the moment of the day came on the 16th — a towering par-5 where Holder rolled in a dramatic eagle putt to take a one-shot lead over Rowan. “The eagle at 16 was awesome,” Holder said. “I actually hit a really good shot on 15 to like five feet and missed that putt, so going into 16 I really wanted to make that eagle putt — and it happened to go in. That was huge.”
With Rowan finishing at 10-under and the crowd gathered behind the iconic Indiana Amateur backdrop behind the Purdue clubhouse, Holder needed only a par on the 18th. He delivered: a solid approach to the center of the green, a smooth lag putt, and a tap-in for the win. The gallery erupted in applause as the youngest Indiana State Amateur Champion since Billy Kratzert’s win in 1968 sealed the title.
“This is huge,” Holder said. “Just seeing all the names and the great Indiana golfers who have won before — it means a lot to add my name to that list. And earning that exemption into the U.S. Amateur this summer makes it even more special.”
Full Results: https://iga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/iga25/event/iga2540/contest/9/leaderboard.htm
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