Berganio Wins Public Links Title

David Berganio Jr. of Sylmar dethroned defending champion Michael Combs 4 and 2 on Saturday to win the U.S. Amateur Public Links golf championship at Otter Creek golf course in Columbus, Ind.

Berganio virtually put the match away on the par-three 13th hole of the second 18-hole round of the day. Both players hit solid shots less than 20 feet from the pin. Berganio had a routine two-putt, but Combs missed his par putt to take a bogey, falling three holes behind with five to play.

The end came on the par-four 16th hole when Combs drove into a fairway bunker on the left. He hit his second shot under a tree off the right side of the green and was unable to take a full swing on his third shot. He two-putted for double bogey.

Berganio’s tee shot was in the rough and he put his second shot into a greenside bunker. Although he two-putted from six feet, his bogey gave him the hole and a four-hole lead with two to play.

“I’m still in shock,” Berganio said. “I just wanted to knock off one hole at a time when we got on the back.”

Berganio led 1-up after 10 holes of the morning round.