Grissom High School student and Huntsville native Tyler Watts posted a runner-up finish in the 76th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship on Saturday at Oakland Hills Country Club.
The 16-year-old Watts fell 4 and 3 to Trevor Gutschewski of Omaha, Neb., in the championship match of the prestigious event. He won eight of Saturday’s 33 holes.
He is the second Huntsville native to play in the championship match of the U.S. Junior Amateur in the last four years, joining 2021 champion Nick Dunlap.
“Just was mentally strong,” Watts said of his takeaways. “I think my body really, really caught up to me on the last 18, which I know it sounds like an excuse, but for the most part played really good this week. Just didn’t have my best stuff this last 18 holes.”
Despite finishing as the runner-up, Watts earned an exemption into the U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club, in Chaska, Minn., which will begin Aug. 12.
Watts said he’s “excited” for August’s challenge.
“I think I just got to keep staying consistent,” he said. “I think I hit my irons really, really good this week. If I can keep doing that, I’m going to keep playing some really good golf.”
