Rockford native wins U.S. Public Links

Sixth-seeded Brad Benjamin topped top-seeded Nick Taylor 7 and 6 in the final of the U.S. Amateur Public Links golf championship on Saturday at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club in Norman, Okla.

The U.S. Amateur Publinx champion is traditionally invited to play in the following year's Masters, provided he retains his amateur status. Benjamin plans to play in Augusta.

"This is still surreal," Benjamin said. "The thought (of playing in the Masters) crossed my mind around the eighth hole or so."

Benjamin, who swings left-handed but is a right-handed putter, was 5-up after the first 19 holes, and medalist Taylor never got closer. The Publinx medalist has not won the match play portion since 2000.

"You never know in match play," said Benjamin, who broke down in tears while speaking to reporters. "I was telling my caddie that, even when I was 7 up with nine to play. Until it's over, it's never over."

A 2009 University of Memphis graduate from Rockford, Ill., Benjamin finished ninth in this year's Conference USA tournament. On Saturday, he became the second lefty to win the Publinx, following Ralph Howe III in 1988.

Taylor, the low amateur in this year's U.S. Open (tied for 36th), had breezed to the final round. The University of Washington golfer from Winnipeg, Manitoba, had won his five other matches in 14, 12, 13, 17 and 16 holes.

"Obviously, he's twice the player I am, at least on the resume, if not more than that," Benjamin said of Taylor. "But eventually you've got to build one (a resume), so I might as well start today."

While Taylor cruised into the final round, Benjamin advanced with five tough wins, in 17, 19, 17, 15 and 18 holes. He needed to win the 17th and 18th holes to win his semifinal round match.

U.S. Bank Championship: Frank Lickliter shot his best round in nearly three years, posting a 63 to surge to the top of the leaderboard at 11-under 199 after the third round of the PGA Tour's U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee.

Greg Chalmers, who led by 2 strokes after Friday's second round, was 1 behind Lickliter after shooting a 69. Jeff Maggert and Chris Riley finished two back at 9-under 201. Hinsdale's Jeff Sluman shot a 68 and is 4 strokes back while Wheaton's Kevin Streelman struggled with a 73 and plunged down the leaderboard.

Lickliter, who last won on tour in 2003, started the day 4 under, but birdied six out of seven holes at one point.