KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The final match of the 2015 Boys Kansas City Metro Match Play Championship began early Sunday morning at Hillcrest Golf Club as Tanner Owen defeated the defending champion Andy Spencer.
“It was an honor to play against Andy Spencer. He has been a great competitor for the last eight to nine years,” said Owen. “To come back and win it felt great, it hasn’t happened in a long time.”
The two competitors kept the match close and exciting the entire way. Spencer got off to an early lead winning the first hole. Spencer maintained his lead until the third and fourth holes as Owen birdied back-to-back to earn a 1-up lead. Spencer came back on the fifth hole to make the match all squared through the seventh hole. Spencer took over on the eighth and controlled the match through the 13th hole where he was 3-up with six holes to play.
“I was down three with five to play. I just told myself to just hit the green in regulation and give myself a chance to birdie whether it is from 30 feet or a tap in,” Owen said. “I played more aggressive than I did the entire tournament. I tried to drive the ball farther because my mid irons have been a little shaky and better from 80 yards in.”
Owen did not give up as he won three holes in a row to make the match all-squared heading onto the 17th tee. Spencer and Owens both hit great tee shots, but Owen’s approach shot fell short on 17 and ended in the bunker. Owen’s had a fantastic bunker shot, giving him a chance for par and forced the match onto the 18th hole at all-squared. On the 18th tee, Spencer hit the ball left giving him a difficult shot close and underneath a tree and Owen tee shot flew farther left and onto the 13th fairway. Spencer chunked his approach ten yards short of the green side bunker and Owen went up and over the trees to 15 feet away from the hole. Spencer chipped onto the green and two putted allowing Owen to two putt his way to victory.
