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U.S. MID-AMATEUR

The Finalists: Tale of the Tape

By David Shefter, USGA

| Oct 12, 2017 | Atlanta, Ga.

U.S. Mid-Amateur Home

Matt Parziale   Josh Nichols
30 Age 26
Brockton, Mass. Hometown Kernersville, N.C.
Southeastern University College Appalachian State
274 World Amateur Golf Ranking 2,698
Round of 64 twice in Mid-Am Best Previous Finish Missed cut (2016)
9, 89 holes played Seeding, Match Holes Played 22, 89 holes played 
Rallied from 5 down with 8 to play in beating medalist Bradford Tilley in 20 holes (quarters); def. Jarred Barley in 19 holes (R32); Sam O'Dell, 2 up (R16) Path to Final Defeated Mark Harrell, 1 up (semis), No. 3 seed Scott Anderson, 2 up (quarters) and 2014 runner-up Brad Nurski, 2 and 1 (R16)
Father Influences Dad
Firefighter Occupation Wedding caterer
3 Age Started Playing 12
3 Holes-in-One 1
63 (Thorny Lea G.C., 2015) Lowest Competitive Round 61 (Maple Leaf Golf Club, 2010)
Won 2017 Massachusetts Amateur Noteworthy Won 93rd CPGA Carolinas Open (as amateur) and 2017 Triad Amateur
Medalist 2015 U.S. Mid-Am (9 USGA championship appearances) USGA Credentials Second USGA championship (Missed cut in only previous start); advanced to U.S. Open sectional qualifying last two years
Putter Favorite Club Putter
Sand Hills (Mullen, Neb.) Favorite Course Maple Leaf G.C., my old home course (now closed)
Tom Brady, Tiger Woods and my dad (Vic) Dream Foursome My dad (Ed), then Tiger Woods, let's leave it at a threesome
Inception Favorite Movie Whiplash
Game of Thrones and Homeland Favorite TV Show Seinfeld
Anything by Bob Rotella Favorite Book My AP U.S. History book from high school
Anything by Florida Georgia Line First-Tee Walk-Up Song Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi
Pizza Favorite Food Macaroni and cheese

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