June 17, 2018
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Auburn rising sophomore Wells Padgett won the 103rd Southwestern Amateur with a birdie on the second playoff hole to defeat Arizona State's Jino Sohn Saturday afternoon at The Desert Mountain Club.
"I played really solid all week and didn't make many mistakes," Padgett said. "I wasn't hitting it the best I could or putting it the best, but everything was just solid enough to shoot good scores.
"In the end, it came down to my aggressive mindset, and that helped me prevail down the stretch with birdies and the last birdie on the playoff hole."
Playing the 18th hole for the third time within a 30-minute span in the final round, Padgett hit a perfect drive and reached the green from 220 yards out with a four iron. Meanwhile, Sohn hit his second shot into a bush that resulted in a layup and an eventual two-putt par.
Padgett's 70-foot eagle putt came up just four inches short for a tap-in birdie, sending the Wichita, Kan. native to his first career amateur title.
Padgett tied for the overall lead with Sohn after four competitive rounds at 12-under (66-68-66-68--268) in a field of 88 golfers.
With the win, Padgett joins some illustrious past Southwestern Amateur champions, including Mark O'Meara (1980), Corey Pavin (1981), Tom Pernice, Jr. (1982), and current PGA Tour stars Ryan Palmer (1999), Nick Watney (2002), Kevin Dougherty (2012) and J.T. Poston (2013).
Padgett earned a spot on the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team this past season and helped Auburn clinch its fourth SEC title in program history.