Devereux Delivers; Wins 41st New Jersey Mid-Amateur Championship
SWAINTON, N.J. - Austin Devereux of Manasquan River Golf Club won the 41st Mid-Amateur Championship on Thursday, June 6 at Union League National Golf Club. The 2020 New Jersey Amateur Champion took down Andrew Giuliani, 3 and 2 in the title match.
“This is pretty crazy,” Devereux said following his victory. “This is the first Mid-Am I’m playing in. I haven't been playing the best golf the past couple of months - even since graduating college. My whole game hasn't really clicked, but this week it did. I’m just speechless.”
Devereux, who turned 25 in the beginning of April, marks the youngest champion since Brandon Dalinka won in 2019.
In the title match, Devereux and Giuliani, of Trump National Golf Club – Bedminster, tied the first hole.
On No. 2, Devereux took the early advantage on the 158-yard par 3. He narrowly missed his birdie attempt but snuck out with the win after Giuliani’s par putt lipped out.
Leading 1-up, Devereux and Giuliani split the next hole.
On No. 4, Devereux knocked his approach shot within two feet for a conceded birdie to take a 2-up lead.
Devereux continued his hot streak, gaining a 3-up lead after winning No. 5. Despite missing the green on his approach shot, the Brielle native sank a lengthy putt for par to win on the 404-yard par 4.
Giuliani turned things around, winning holes 6, 7 and 9 to knot things up at the turn.
“I think I probably missed about seven greens all week,” Devereux recalled. “My ball striking was great, but I had a bunch of three putts that deflated me a bit. I knew if I kept going, keep it in the center club face, I'll get some good looks.”
On No. 10 and 11, Devereux put together a solid stretch of wins. On 10, Devereux two putted for par, while Giuliani landed in the greenside waste area, and was not able to get up and down for a tie.
Devereux’s tee shot landed in one of the many waste areas lining the fairway on No. 11, a 519-yard par 5. Going for the green in two, Devereux found himself in another waste area - this time about 15 yards from the hole. Coming in clutch, Devereux put his third shot within a few feet and then drained his birdie putt. In nearly the same situation, Giuliani got out of the bunker, but two-putted for par.
Giuliani fought back, winning the ensuing hole, a 130-yard par 3 to once again cut the deficit down to one with six holes to play.
Tying the next two holes, Devereux then seized control of the match, capitalizing on No. 15, a 169-yard par 3. Tucking his tee shot within six feet, Devereux drained his birdie putt in dramatic fashion to take a 2 up lead with three to play.
"I hit it as good as 9 iron as I could,” Devereux said of No. 15. “When I got up there, I talked to my caddie John, we got a good read on it and it was one of those putts that you have to make if you want to win. I knew if I made it, it was going to shock him a little bit.”
Devereux slammed the door on the 16th hole. As Giuliani struggled on his approach shot, Devereux was on the green in two, logging a par to solidify his victory, his second career NJSGA win.
“This set the tone now - so I'm hoping to have a good summer,” Devereux added. “I'm happy my game is in a spot where I feel confident that I can play good golf and go forward with that.”
In his semifinal bout, Devereux defeated defending champion Michael Brown.
Semifinal Results
Andrew Giuliani def. Clifford Lindholm, 21 holes
Austin Devereux def. Michael Brown, 5 and 4
Final Result
Austin Devereux def. Andew Giuliani, 3 and 2
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