Eagle golfer comes up short in Augusta

via @SunBelt/Instagram

After an opening round 73, Brycen Jones’ may have been more concerned with making the cut than making the final grouping on Sunday at the 2024 Georgia Amateur Championship.

However, Georgia Southern sophomore fired a four-under 68 on Friday and followed it up with a five-under 67 on Saturday, but still found himself four shots back of 2023 Georgia Amateur Champion Jake Peacock.

But a barrage of seven birdies on Sunday allowed the Thomasville native to claw his way into a tie for the lead with just three holes left to play. Both he and Peacock birdied 16 before carding a par on 17, setting the stage for a dramatic finish at Augusta Country Club.

After two perfect drives, it was Jones that sat just over 10 feet away from the pin on the championship’s final hole. However, Peacock drained a putt from well over 30 feet out to secure a miraculous birdie. Jones’ putt to match missed by mere inches, causing him to fall one shot short of becoming the first Eagle to win the Georgia Amateur since Brett Barron in 2018.

Despite falling short, Jones and the remainder of the golfers who finished with the top five will receive an exemption into final qualifying for the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship.