JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Tyler Watts is only 17 years old and about to enter his senior year in high school.
The University of Tennessee commit from Huntsville, Alabama, played like a seasoned veteran in the 84th Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions, shattering two longstanding records in a dominant performance.
Watts closed an incredible four-round performance with a 6-under-par 64. His 19-under 261 score broke the tournament four-round record established 33 years ago.
PHOTO GALLERY | Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions | Final Round
“This is my first year here. It’s an honor to be able to walk away with the trophy,” Watts said after the green jacket and crystal vase presentation on the 18th green at Sunnehanna Country Club. “I just know after this week that there is a lot of history behind this tournament and it’s a true honor to win.”
Watts is also the youngest player to win the Sunnehanna Amateur, a distinction previously held by Rickie Fowler, who was 18 when he won the first of his two titles in 2007.
Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions | Final Round
Tyler Watts, 17, of Huntsville, Ala., celebrates after sinking a birdie putt on Hole 18 to win the Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Watts breaks the tournament scoring record with a final tally of -19.
The previous course record of 14-under 266 stood since four-time Sunnehanna Amateur champion Allen Doyle scorched the par-70 course in 1992. A Mid-Am, Doyle was 43 at the time.
After opening his final round with three pars, Watts strung together five straight birdies from 4 through 8. He also birdied 11 to move to 19-under. A bogey on 17 took away a stroke that he quickly regained with a round-closing birdie on 18.
“I’m not going to say that I knew that it was over because anything can happen,” Watts said of his string of birdies on the front nine. “I felt really confident. The five birdies went a long way.”
Runner-up Cole Rueck, of Corvallis, Oregon, played well enough also to break Doyle’s four-round scoring record. The Boise State University player finished four strokes behind Watts. He shot 15-under 265 after closing with three straight 4-under 66 rounds that followed an opening-round 67.
Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions | Final Round
Boise State University golfer Cole Rueck, of Corvallis, Ore., watches his tee shot on the par-3 Hole 16 during the final round of the Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Cole finishes second in the tournament.
“I felt very comfortable and I felt very in control of my game,” Rueck said. “If you would have told me I shot 15 under before the week, I’d have figured I’d be going away with the trophy. Tyler played amazing. Nothing to hang my head about.
“I went 3 under, 4 under, 4 under, 4 under,” said Rueck, who made three birdies and eagled No. 11 in the final round. “I just chipped away and that was my game plan going in, not playing overaggressively. I was just happy with how I played this week.”
University of Georgia commit John Daniel Culbreth placed third at 13-under 267. Culbreth shot a 3-under 67 in the final round after going 7-under 63 Friday.
“It’s an awesome event,” Culbreth said. “I think I learned a lot. I played well all week, but I had a lot of things come at me, a lot of adversity.
“It’s a great tournament, a great field. It’s a lot like what college is going to be like soon. It’s great just knowing my game is going to good enough to compete with where I’m going to be next.”
Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions | Final Round
Tyler Watts, 17, of Huntsville, Ala., watches his drive on the par-4 Hole 13 during the final round of the Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Watts goes on to win the championship and break the tournament scoring record with a final tally of -19.
Like Rueck, Culbreth said Watts’ hot hand was too much to overcome, despite how well others played.
“I looked at the scores at the turn,” Culbreth said. “After 10, I missed a short birdie putt, and I thought, ‘You’re playing for second.’ That’s just kind of the reality of it.
“Sometimes you have those weeks. I played good. I had my mistakes that kind of hurt me, but I had a great week. Nineteen under on this golf course, it’s hard to get there. You can’t be mad at all. I’m just impressed with him.”
Three players tied for fourth place at 12-under 268 – Cohen Trolio, of West Point, Mississippi; Gabriel Palacios, of Guatemala City; and Ryan Voois, of Ladera Ranch, California.