PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Four players began their morning matches with hopes of becoming the 33rd Amateur Match Play Champion. On a day extended by a lengthy rain delay at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach, it was Jimmy Ellis who outlasted Ian Ball in the championship match, winning 3 & 2 to claim the trophy and the title.
The semifinals began with Ellis facing Jordan Bachelor and Ball taking on Ryan Nicoll. After strong play from both eventual finalists, Ellis won his match 4 & 2, while Ball secured a 2 & 1 victory.
As the final match began, Ball took the early lead with a birdie on the 2nd hole. Ellis responded immediately by winning the 3rd. Then, the Florida weather had other plans, as a thunderstorm rolled through Ponte Vedra Beach, delaying the match for several hours.
Following the two-hour delay, both players played steadily over the next four holes. On the 8th, Ellis began to seize control of the match, hitting a beautiful iron shot to three feet and converting the birdie. He then capitalized on a mistake from Ball on the 9th, winning the hole and taking a 2-up lead at the turn.
After making the turn, the players matched each other shot for shot over the next four holes. On the par-5 14th, Ball clawed one back, making birdie after finding the rough off the tee and laying up smartly. They headed to the final stretch with Ellis holding a slim 1-up lead.
On the 15th, Ball found the bunker long of the green, while Ellis stuck another iron shot to 10 feet, winning the hole and extending his lead. With the match nearly put away, Ellis kept his foot on the gas, hitting one final brilliant iron to 10 feet on the picturesque par-3 16th. After Ball failed to get up and down, Ellis calmly two-putted to seal the 3 & 2 victory as spectators cheered him on.
“This golf course is just perfect, and I think it helped me being able to play here with my dad. I don’t think many of the guys have seen this place before, and it gave me a huge advantage.”
— Jimmy Ellis on what helped him win this week
Ellis adds to his growing trophy case, following up on his victory at the 2024 Florida Amateur.
