Taylor pips McDonough to win State Amateur title

MISSOULA — Missoula’s Payton Taylor edged out former Missoula Sentinel Spartan and current Utah Ute Kade McDonough to win the Men’s State Amateur championship Saturday at Missoula Country Club.

Taylor, who golfed collegiately at Liberty University in Virginia, shot a final round 68 to take a one-shot victory at six-under par. He finished his round bogey free. 

McDonough came home with an even-par round of 71 to finish at five-under for the tournament.  

Whitefish’s Billy Smith finished in a four-way tie for third at three-under par. 

In the senior division, Billings’ Jerry Pearsall claimed his second-straight title, finishing with a two-under par 69 on the final day. 

Whitefish’s Brad Grattan placed third at plus-3 and a total of 216. 

Carl Funk took home the title in the super senior category with a seven-over par score for three rounds. He finished four shots ahead of Corey Bedell of Missoula. 

Kalispell’s Bruce Scott brought home a fourth-place finish with a 14-over par total. 

Butte’s Chase Choquette earned the Schwartz Cup honors as the low scoring junior player for the tournament, finishing at three-under par. 

Full results of the tournament can be found online at msgagolf.org and through Golf Genius via GGID: 25MSGAMA.