Manhasset's Ryan Liu wins boys golf state title in a Long Island vs. Long Island playoff hole
Manhasset’s Ryan Liu (bottom row, center) and Friends Academy’s Charles Nevin (bottom row, right) pose after the New York State boys golf championship. Credit: Mike Tarnowski
In the end, Long Islanders were all that stood.
After 36 holes, Manhasset freshman Ryan Liu and Friends Academy senior Charles Nevin were tied atop the leaderboards of the boys golf state championships, forcing a playoff on Monday.
The tiebreaker was played on the 18th hole, and each parred in four strokes in the first round to force another one on the same hole. The second time, Liu drove within 15 feet of the pin before two-putting to birdie, ultimately winning himself the state title.
“I honestly tried to not think about winning, but it feels great and I’m very proud of myself,” said Liu, who had 11 birdies and an eagle over the two days. “Nevin’s a great guy, and I lost to him at counties. We were talking in the players’ meeting that we were both going to do well and make the Federation match, and we wound up doing that.”
Each fired a 6-under-par 136 over the two days on the Championship Course of Mill Creek Golf Club in Churchville near Rochester over the first 36 holes.
Liu ended Day 1 on Sunday in a five-way tie for fifth after shooting a 1-under 70, but answered with a 5-under 66 in regulation of Day 2 on Monday.
Liu had a key eagle by chipping in on the 15th hole of Day 2 to tie Nevin for the lead. On the 18th, Liu putted in his fifth birdie of the day and 10th of regulation to take a one-stroke lead. Nevin also birdied on the 18th to force the playoff.
Nevin shot a 2-under 69 on Day 1 to enter Day 2 in third, trailing Newburgh Free Academy senior Josh Yan by two strokes. He came back to tie Yan with a par on the eighth hole and took the lead with a birdie on the 12th, and held his place until Liu’s heroics. Nevin finished regulation with nine birdies and 24 pars.
“I’m pretty happy with every part of my game across the tournament, other than my putting,” Nevin said. “I can’t really complain; I had a great high school career. I stayed very calm and even-keeled today … I just trusted my shots and swings and felt pretty good out there, and I’m proud for giving myself a chance to win.”
Westhampton senior Zach Berger placed fifth overall with a one-over 143, leading all Suffolk golfers.
Mike Anderson is a high school sports reporter who has covered 12 sports so far at Newsday. He was the sports editor of Stony Brook University's campus newspaper for two years.
