Less than one inch -- that's how much separated Eric Lowrey and Mike Saperstein in the Arizona State Championship this weekend!
In one of the most dramatic State Title final matches ever played, Saperstein captured the Arizona State Championship when he was able to sink a winning 7 foot putt on the 18th green after Lowrey's 8 footer along almost the exact same line broke two inches right to left on the final revolution and stopped, partially hanging over the cup!
On Saturday, Saperstein had won a hard-fought match at the beautiful Ventana Canyons Canyon Course in Tuscon Arizona, 15.5 to 13.5. But it was Sunday's finale at the Raven Golf Club that was truly special. Lowrey had to win to split the series and retain the Arizona title; if Saperstein won or if there was a tie, Saperstein would claim the crown.
The Raven had much more teeth than the Ventana Canyon Course, but the players were up to the task. In the shot of the weekend, Lowrey made a 6-iron chip from a steep hill that twisted and turned and finally fell into the hole for a birdie 4 on the second hole! This shot set the tone for the drama that was soon to come.
The players battled through the 11th hole; to that point, Lowrey led by 1. From then on, this match saw arguably the greatest stretch run battle in State Title History:
Hole 12: Saperstein makes a super 7 iron chip to tap in range for a par 3. Lowrey, shaken by a poor first putt, sinks a gritty 6 foot comebacker to match the par and hold his lead, 11 - 10.
Hole 13: With Saperstein in with a bogey 5, Lowrey sinks a 12 foot bender to match bogey and continue to retain his 1 point lead.
Hole 14: Lowrey hits an incredible chip from an extremely difficult position that bounces sharply off a hill a lands 5 feet from the hole. Saperstein then one-ups it with a 7 iron chip to 2 feet, and taps in for another bogey 5. Lowrey's putt to halve the hole stays just left of the hole, and the match is even at 11.5 all!
Hole 15: Lowrey hits his second-best shot of the day -- a stiff 6 iron from 170 yards to within 6 feet of the hole. However, he still has a treacherous downhill putt remaining for birdie. He barely touches the ball, and yet the hill gives the putt enough speed to somehow, some way, make the putt circle 120 degrees of the cup and stay out. Lowrey still is able to tap in for par and regain the lead, 13.5 to 11.5.
Hole 16: Saperstein delivers yet another great 7 iron chip to 2 feet, and taps in for bogey which is good enough. Lowrey 13.5, Saperstein 12.5.
Hole 17: In what was the most intense drama of the match to that point, Lowrey faced a 10 foot putt for a par 3. It broke, and broke, but not quite enough, missing pro side a leaving a 1-footer which he tapped in for bogey 4. Saperstein now faced a 10 foot putt for par from the opposite side of the cup. It had the line, but going uphill stopped 1 foot short of the cup, and the hole was split. With one hole to play, and Lowrey needing to win the match outright, it was Lowrey 14, Saperstein 13.
Hole 18: On what is arguably the most beautiful finishing hole ever played in State Title competition, Lowrey and Saperstein stared at a beatiful par 5 with water on the left, desert on the right, approximately 60 feet below the elevated tee. Both players lost their drives right, but recovered to the point where they were soon even just off the green. Neither player delivered a great chip, leading to the final scenario. Lowrey lied 5 on the green, 8 feet from the cup. Saperstein also lied 5, approximately 1 foot closer, along almost the same line. Lowrey would have to putt first -- a sink would guarantee a split of the hole, a win in the match, and a split of the 2 match series, which would retain the title for Lowrey. A miss would give Saperstein a chance to win the hole, tie the match, and win the series and Title.
Lowrey studied it long and hard. When he stroked it, it looked good all the way. It had a slight right to left break, but at the last moment took a bigger turn, stopping partially over the cup but staying out! This drew gasps from the playing partners, and forced Lowrey to tap in for a double-bogey 7.
Now it was Saperstein's turn. He needed to sink the putt to win the title. However in his favor was that Lowrey had already shown him the line. He stepped up and stroked confidently, finding the center of the cup! By tying in the match, Saperstein had captured the Arizona State Title!
