Colt Knost

Colt Knost, 22, of Dallas, Texas, won the first three holes and never looked back in posting a 6-and-4 victory over 18-year-old Cody Paladino of Kensington, Conn., in the 36-hole championship match of the 2007 U.S. Amateur Public Links held at 7,048-yard, par-72 Cantigny Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill.

Knost, a recent graduate of Southern Methodist University where he earned third-team All-America honors from the Golf Coaches Association of America, played the equivalent of 6-under-par golf over the 32 holes, with the usual concessions for match play. In six matches, Knost registered just seven bogeys in 112 holes and over the final two days of the competition, a total of 66 holes, he was the equivalent of 13 under par.

Knost also was the first Texan to win the APL title since Hunter Haas in 1999. Ironically, the last time the event was held in Chicago (Cog Hill in 1989), Tim Hobby of Alvin, Texas, was the champion. Paladino was the first player from the state of Connecticut to advance to the APL final match.

“It’s pretty unbelievable,” said Knost, who shot a second-round 64 at the PGA Tour’s EDS Byron Nelson Championship in April to make the cut. “It hasn’t set in, but I’m enjoying it.”

Knost was a pillar of consistency throughout the final. He missed just one fairway – the par-4 16th hole in the morning 18 – and he registered just two bogeys in the entire match. Meanwhile, Paladino struggled to find his rhythm, especially off the tee where he consistently missed fairways and seemingly was playing most of his approach shots from the thick rough.

“I never really found my swing,” said Paladino, an incoming freshman at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. “I just really didn’t have it today. I wish things could have gone better.”

The tone was set in the first three holes as Knost grabbed a quick 3-up lead, holing a 20-foot birdie putt at the par-4 first hole and then watching Paladino hit his second shot on the par-5 second into a water hazard. At the par-3 third hole, Paladino missed a 4-foot par putt. He eventually settled down, making a 12-foot birdie putt at the sixth, but missed a golden opportunity to trim more of the deficit when he pushed a 5-foot birdie putt at No. 7 to the right.

Knost won holes 10 and 12 with pars to take a 4-up lead, then lost 13 when Paladino holed a 50-foot birdie putt. But at the par-5 14th hole, Paladino conceded Knost’s long eagle putt from the fringe when his third shot went left into some bushes and he was going to be forced to take a penalty for an unplayable lie. Paladino immediately won 15 with a par, but Knost stopped any sort of late-round comeback with a clutch 12-foot par putt at 16.

In the afternoon, Knost built his lead to 7-up after getting a conceded birdie at the 28th hole. Paladino did knock his approach shot to No. 30 within 4 feet for a winning birdie, then took hole 31 with a par before he conceded Knost’s 25-foot eagle putt at No. 32 to end the match.

“I missed a few greens … but I gave him, what, one hole?” said Knost of his performance in the final. “I lost 15 this morning with bogey and then 12 this afternoon. But when you’re making [your opponent] win with birdies, especially with the wind blowing so hard, it’s hard [to come back].”

Knost struggled during stroke-play qualifying, shooting 6-over 150, one stroke below the cut of 151. Then he turned it on and he played the 18th hole only once during his five matches leading to the final.

The weather was stormy early in the week as thunderstorms created suspensions on Monday and Tuesday, forcing stroke-play qualifying to be completed on Wednesday. Some competitors had to play as many as 45 holes of match play on Thursday so the championship could get back on schedule.

In the semifinals, Knost eliminated 18-year-old Corey Nagy of Charlotte, N.C., while Paladino defeated Derek Fathauer, 21, of Jensen Beach, Fla., 1 up. Despite the loss in the final, Paladino enjoyed a special week.

“As far as stepping on the driving range [Saturday] morning and seeing two pyramids of balls and knowing one of them was for me, that was a pretty special moment,” said Paladino. “Regardless of what happened today … I knew it was going to be a special day.”

Knost put his name on the James D. Standish Trophy alongside other well-known players who have gone on to have successful professional careers such as Billy Mayfair, Trevor Immelman, Jodie Mudd, Tim Clark and Ryan Moore.

“I am honored to have my name on there,” said Knost. “[My mom] will take care of that. She takes care of that stuff for me.”