Benjamin wins Public Links crown

NORMAN, Okla., July 18 (UPI) -- Brad Benjamin beat Nick Taylor 7 & 6 in Saturday's 36-hole final to win the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.

Benjamin defeated the stroke-play medalist and low amateur at last month's U.S. Open. Taylor trailed only briefly in his matches.

"I'm a little disappointed," Taylor said after the loss. "I played well the entire week, and to be in the final and lose is definitely disappointing. But Brad played unbelievable in the afternoon. Pretty much did to me what I did to the other guys coming in to this Match Play."

Benjamin parred the second to go 1-up, and then extended his lead thanks to wins at eight, 12 and 15. He was 4-up at the 18-hole break and continued to dominate play in the afternoon.

"That was the start I needed," said Benjamin, who earned a berth in next April's Masters. "Obviously the momentum could go his way."