William Love fired a final-round 68 on Monday, July 20, to win the 120th Southern Amateur Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, finishing at 12-under par 198 and beating the field by three strokes.

The Atlanta native and former Duke University golfer carded rounds of 65, 65, and 68 across the 54-hole event on the club's Riverside Course, a par-70 layout stretching 7,487 yards. His victory earned him the George W. Adair Trophy, a silver medal, and the Calamity Jane Putter.

"This week was a great test for my patience on the course," Love said in a post-round statement released by the Southern Golf Association. "It felt like a long time coming, so it was great to finally get it done and come through with a win!"

Love also secured a five-year exemption into the Southern Amateur Championship from 2027 through 2031 and an automatic berth in the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., scheduled for Aug. 10–16.

Zachary Swanwick of New Zealand placed second at 9-under 201 with rounds of 66, 68, and 67. Carlos Astiazaran of Mexico and Carson Bertagnole of Pinehurst, N.C., tied for third at 7-under 203.

The championship field included 156 top-ranked golfers from more than 30 states and nine countries, with 90 of the world's top 300 amateurs competing, according to the Southern Golf Association. Fifteen players finished under par for the week, and the field posted 12 eagles and 913 birdies across three rounds.

This marked the seventh time the Atlanta Athletic Club has hosted the Southern Amateur. First played in 1902, the event is one of the oldest amateur golf championships in the country and switched from match play to stroke play in 1964. The George W. Adair Trophy, which stays in the AAC clubhouse, is named for the club's third president, who helped mentor Bobby Jones and was instrumental in building East Lake Country Club.

The club, founded in 1898 and located about 23 miles north of downtown Atlanta, has also hosted the 1976 U.S. Open, three PGA Championships, and the 2014 U.S. Amateur. It is scheduled to host the 2030 U.S. Amateur and the 2035 U.S. Women's Amateur.

What's next

The 121st Southern Amateur Championship moves to the Country Club of North Carolina's Dogwood Course in Pinehurst, N.C., July 7–10, 2027. Love heads to Merion Golf Club for the U.S. Amateur beginning Aug. 10.