The 78th annual Ozark Amateur at Schifferdecker Golf Course came down to a one-hole playoff Sunday between Missouri Southern State University golfer Zach Gardner and University of Missouri-Kansas City's Jack Spencer, with Spencer taking the ******* le after logging a birdie on the playoff hole.
Spencer (67, 67-134) sank a 10-foot putt on the playoff hole, but Gardner (66, 68-134) had to settle for par after his 8-foot try missed the mark. Spencer, who also won the 57th annual Briarbrook Invitational last month in Carl Junction with a birdie putt on the final hole, claimed his second Ozark Amateur ******* le after winning the tourney in 2024.
"I felt confident, I think, after the Invitational (at Briarbrook), where I kind of proved to myself that I can come through in those moments," Spencer said. "So when it got tight down the stretch, I wasn't nervous or scared of anything. I didn't play my best, but I played with confidence, and that's what worked out for me."
Gardner, competing in his first Ozark Amateur, held the lead after Saturday's first day, carding a 5-under 66. Three other golfers — Spencer, Max Templeman and Fabian Oeschle — came in one stroke back of Gardner at 67, setting up a competitive final round Sunday.
Gardner talked about his round Sunday.