Alpharetta, Ga. – United States Amateur champion Peter Uihlein defeated British Amateur champion Jin Jeong, 4 and 2, Tuesday to win the 14th Annual Georgia Cup Match at The Golf Club of Georgia.
Uihlein, 21, a junior at Oklahoma State and the world’s No. 1 ranked amateur, closed out Jeong on the 16th hole of the Lakeside Course to give the U.S. Amateur champions an 8-6 lead in the all-time series of the charity event, which benefits the Georgia State Golf Foundation and the Folds of Honor Foundation.
Both players will compete next week at the Masters.
Uihlein took a 4-up lead at the turn on the cool and mostly overcast day, but the 21-year-old Jeong played stubbornly on the back nine, remaining alive with some clutch putting, including a 15-foot par putt at the 15th to extend the match. But it finally ended on the par-4 16th when Jeong, a Koren native who lives in Australia, missed a 12-foot attempt for par, then conceded Uihlein's 3-footer for par.
Golf Club of Georgia member Matt Kuchar, the first Georgia Cup champion in 1998 and the 1997 U.S. Amateur champion, served as Honorary Captain.
“Jin didn’t play his best golf today and I was able to capitalize on some of his mistakes early on,” said Uihlein, who flew back to Oklahoma after the match and plans to arrive in Augusta this weekend. “It’s always nice to get a win and get the competitive juices flowing. The Georgia Cup is a great event and I was really honored to be here. The support out there today was tremendous.”
Even when the match is officially over, the Georgia Cup participants traditionally play the remaining holes so fans can watch the Amateur champions finish at the Lakeside Course’s scenic 18th hole. Though it didn’t count in the scoring Tuesday, on the 17th hole Jeong nearly holed out for an ace and then almost made a double eagle at the 18th.
“I’m glad it was over,” Peter said, smiling. “I don’t think I would have won those last two holes.”
The Georgia Cup is co-presented by SunTrust and Atlanta Classic Cars/Mercedes-Benz. Other previous champions have included Sergio Garcia, Richie Ramsay, Danny Lee and Matteo Manassero.