VERO BEACH, Fla. — Championship Sunday at the 44th Florida Mid-Amateur brought 36 grueling holes and four determined semifinalists with a title in sight. Carlos Santos-Ocampo squared off against Graham Nichols, while Ty Capps returned to the Semifinals for the second consecutive year to take on Kyle Martin.
Semifinals
The first match out featured Santos-Ocampo and Martin. Martin came out firing, racing to a 3-up lead through four holes. He extended it to 4 up before a bogey on the 8th allowed Santos-Ocampo to claw one back. That would be the last momentum shift, as Martin never looked back, delivering a dominant performance. He closed out the match on the 15th hole with a 5 & 4 victory, earning a spot in the Championship match.
In the second Semifinal match, Capps and Nichols battled it out until the very end. Nichols held the early edge, but Capps fought back to square the match as they made the turn. On the drivable par-4 13th, Nichols converted a birdie to regain the lead, only for Capps to answer with a win on the 14th.
Nichols again took a 1-up advantage with a win on the 16th, but Capps responded with an eagle on the par-5 17th to tie things up heading into the final hole. Despite never holding a lead all day, Capps saved his best for last, winning the 18th hole to claim a 1-up victory and a spot in the final.
Championship
The title match set up a clash between Ty Capps and Kyle Martin. Both players traded pars on the opening hole, setting the tone for a tight battle. Through five holes, it was neck-and-neck with neither player giving an inch.
That changed on the par-4 6th. Facing a difficult tee shot and tucked pin, Martin was forced to hit a provisional. A bogey followed, while Capps capitalized with a steady par to take the first lead of the match.
The wind added an extra battle to this match, but the players continued to go shot for shot. Martin would pick up a birdie on the ninth hole to Capps par, which would have them tied as they headed to the back nine.
Martin started to catch fire, rattling off five birdies in a seven-hole stretch. By the time they reached the 15th tee, he had built a commanding 3-up lead. Capps wasn't ready to surrender just yet. On the par-3 15th, Martin’s tee shot found the front bunker, while Capps sailed his approach long and onto the cart path. In stunning fashion, Capps holed out from the cart path to cut into the lead and keep his hopes alive.
Unfazed, Martin responded with a champion’s answer, draining a clutch 40-foot putt on the 16th to close out the match and secure his first FSGA victory.
