Nathan Smith wins 4th US Mid-Amateur and earns Masters invite
September 19, 2012

Add Nathan Smith’s name to the history books. The 34-year-old becomes the most crowned US Mid-Amateur Champion ever after winning his fourth US Mid-Amateur title. The Pittsburgh native defeated Canada’s Garrett Rank by one hole in the 36-hole final at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Smith, who played on last two US Walker Cup teams, also won the title in 2003, 2009 and 2010. He moves ahead of three-time champion Jay Sigel as the most prolific winner of the US Mid-Amateur Champion.

Smith will play in next year’s Masters as a result, his fourth appearance at Augusta national. He also leaps 462 places on this week’s World Amateur Golf Ranking to 99th. Rank moves to 250th, a jump of 202 spots.

Canada’s Corey Conners also moves up this week’s ranking after winning the Gopher Invitational at Spring Hill Golf Club in Wayzata, Minnesota.

The Kent State University student entered the final round in joint 7th place eight shots behind University of California player Max Homa. However, Homa struggled to a closing 68 while Conners fashioned a final round 68 to go with earlier scores of 75 and 70 for a one shot victory over Homa and California teammate Michael Kim.

Conners jumps 15 places this week to 37th. He is the second highest ranked Canadian behind world number 31 Albin Choi.

Homa moves seven spots this week to 24th. Kim becomes world number 40, and improvement of 13 places.

Seve Ballesteros’ son Javier won the Campeonato Abierto de Madrid. The 22-year-old dedicated the victory to his late father. Javier, who is studying law at Madrid’s Complutense University, moves 737 places on this week’s ranking to world number 3002.

The big movers in week 37:

TOP 20
Brandon Hagy (USA) - up 5 to 20

TOP 50
Corey Conners (CAN) - up 15 to 37
Michael Kim (USA) - up 13 to 40
Max Orrin (ENG) - up 12 to 44
Talor Gooch (USA) - up 7 to 50

TOP 100
AJ McInerney (USA) - up 78 to 66
Senapaa Chikkarangappa (IND) - up 27 to 90
Ben Stow (ENG) - up 14 to 93
Nathan Smith (USA) - up 462 to 99
Jacobo Pastor (ESP) - up 11 to 100