10/01/26 07:36:00
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10/01 19:34 CDT Andrew Bailey wins US Mid-Amateur to earn spots in the Masters
and US Open next year
Andrew Bailey wins US Mid-Amateur to earn spots in the Masters and US Open next
year
NEKOOSA, Wis. (AP) --- Andrew Bailey took the lead for good with a birdie on
the 23rd hole and played his final 17 holes without a bogey to defeat Nate
Smith, 5 and 4, in the U.S. Mid-Amateur on Thursday and earn a spot in the
Masters and U.S. Open next year.
Bailey was at the U.S. Open this summer at Shinnecock Hills, but as a national
sales manager for Holderness & Bourne attire.
"I've got to talk to the bosses about PTO. But I'll cross that bridge when I
get to it," Bailey said of a schedule that has become a lot busier in 2027.
Smith led for most of the morning 18 holes, never more than 2 up, and Bailey
caught him with a par on the 18th hole on The Lido at Sand Valley. They traded
birdies on the opening two holes of the afternoon, and the 34-year-old Bailey,
from Cleveland, began to pull away by winning three straight holes.
"I'm disappointed I didn't win, but at the same time, I didn't do anything to
lose," said Smith, a 43-year-old home builder from Idaho. "He just played an
exceptional round of golf this afternoon."
Bailey had thoughts about playing professionally --- he never played a PGA Tour
event --- before severely breaking his wrist rock climbing that took more than
two years to fully heal. He regained his amateur status in 2017, three years
after leaving college.
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