SPRINGFIELD - Walker Kesterson of Ashland chipped in for birdie on the 18th hole Sunday, defeating Brad Nurski 1-up to win the 2019 Missouri Men's Amateur Championship at Hickory Hills Country Club.
Nurski, from St. Joseph, was 1-up through 16 holes in the match-play competition, until Kesterson parred the 17th to make the match all square with one hole to go. Kesterson's chip from just off the 18th green rolled into the cup for a birdie to clinch the title.
Kesterson never led the match until the final hole. Nurski was 1-up through three holes, and he increased his lead to 2-up after the fifth hole.
Nurski held a 1-up lead at the turn and it stayed that way until the 13th hole, when Kesterson made a par to tie the match. Nurski regained the lead with a par on the 16th hole.
The 18th hole was one of three birdies in the match for Kesterson. He also birdied the sixth and eighth holes. Nurski recorded birdies on the fifth and sixth holes.
The championship match, normally scheduled for 36 holes, was shortened to 18 holes due to the rainy weather.