James Piot Wins Tournament of Champions at Boyne
By Greg Johnson
BOYNE FALLS – James Piot was hoping to catch some momentum this week before returning to play on the PGA Tour Americas.
The 27-year-old Canton native and Michigan’s only ever U.S. Amateur Champion caught that momentum and the leaders, shooting a final-round 7-under 65 on Boyne Mountain’s Alpine Course to win the 34th Tournament of Champions.
“It feels great to play the way I did today, especially that back nine to finish it off strong,” he said about the final round. “It’s a great feeling and I’m super proud of how this week went.”
Piot, a former LIV Tour player, started the final round two shots off the lead, but started moving up the leaderboard on the front nine and then made four consecutive birdies starting on the 10th hole and moved to the top of the leaderboard.
Teaching pro Matt Thompson of Jonesville and former coach at Hillsdale College, was tied with Piot for the lead for a few holes, but Piot made a 20-foot birdie putt on No. 16 to get to 7-under for the round and finished the last two holes with pars for a final 14-under 202. Thompson, meanwhile, missed a final birdie putt from 10 feet away on the par 5 18th and shot 68 for 203.
Alex Scott, a mini-tour pro from Traverse City who shot a final 67, first-year pro Bryce Wheeler of Augusta who shot 68, and current Wayne State University golfer Jack Julian of South Lyon who shot 67, each finished at 204, two shots back.
Piot won $10,500, the Walter Burkemo Trophy and the green blazer signifying a membership in the Country Club of Boyne.
Julian, the Michigan Publinx Medal Play Champion earlier this summer, was the low amateur in the unique tournament that brings together men, women, professionals, amateurs, seniors and juniors – all who have won significant Michigan championships – playing for the same title from different tee positions.
Kamryn Shannon of Jackson, a Ferris State University All-American this year, shot a final 69 for 215 and was the low female amateur.
