Georgia State's Tom Sherreard finished his week at the 137th British Open with a 2-over par 72. With winds gusting at up to 40 miles per hour, Sherreard posted a 14-over 294 to finish in a thirteen-way tie for 19th.
Padraig Harrington repeated as British Open champion, shooting a 69 to best Ian Poulter by four shots with Greg Norman in third.
Sherreard's 72 gave him his second best round of the week, good enough to vault him 16 spots up the Sunday leaderboard.
After opening his final round with three pars, Sherreard hit a skid bogeying holes four through seven, the most treacherous stretch of the golf course this week.
Posting a 4-over 38 on the front, Sherreard battled back towards par with an outstanding eagle-birdie finish. Sherreard's eagle at the 17th was one of only four on the day, the fourth belonging to champion Padraig Harrington.
Making Sherreard's run in the Open even more astonishing was his ascent from 90th at the end of Thursday's round to a final tie for 19th.
Sherreard's 19th place finish ties him with this year's Masters champion Trevor Immelman, three-time major winner Phil Mickelson, and former PGA champion Davis Love III.
His finish bests those of two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen, top-ten ranked Sergio Garcia, and former Georgia Tech golfer David Duval.Thomas Sherreard was one of two amateurs to make the cut at Royal Birkdale. Many other top golfers were eliminated in the two-day cut.
Sherreard made his final round a memorable one, too, as he chipped in for eagle at the 17th hole and made birdie on No. 18 en route to a 72.
The two amateurs who made the cut both finished in the top 20. Sherreard had one of the just 17 sub-par rounds in the entire four days of the British Open.
FROM THE PGA.COM web site blog: When asked about his eagle: "I think I could sell that for quite a bit of money," Sherreard said when asked what the leaders might give for such a finish later today.
The 20-year-old from Leicester, England, said he'll probably remain an amateur -- "I don't feel my game's quite ready yet to do it week in and week out," he said -- and continue working toward his degree in psychology at Georgia State.
"The memories this week have all been priceless," said the rising junior. "But I think just being around the players off the golf course (has been the best). Tom Watson walked past us in the hotel the other day and you just can't believe it."
posted by Helen Ross
Also from the PGA web: According to the Open Championship media guide: "It had been suggested as early as 1922 that some recognition should be given to the leading amateur in The Open, but it was not until 1949 that a silver medal of the same size and design as the winner's medal, was presented. It bore the inscription 'Golf Champion Trophy,' with the addition of the words 'First Amateur.'
"Frank Stranahan of the United States was the first to receive the silver medal he went on to win it again in 1950, 1951 and 1953.
"From 1972 all amateurs, other than the leading amateur, who have played on the final day of The Open Championship, have received a bronze medal." -- T.J. Auclair,
What's Next: Sherreard is entered in the English Amateur Championship, being held July 28-August 2 at The National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa. One of his goals is to make the England team and compete in the 2008 World Amateur Team Championships in Australia, Oct. 8-11.
