Aidan Emmerich heats up in afternoon to win 118th Massachusetts Amateur

Aidan Emmerich opened the 36-hole final of the 118th Massachusetts Amateur at Winchester Country Club by winning three of the four holes, with a pair of birdies in the mix.

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That momentum didn’t last, however, as he only had one birdie the rest of the way and went into the lunch break holding a slim 1-up lead over Zac Georgantas.

Emmerich, a Swampscott resident who recently graduated from Temple, made three birdies in the opening four holes of the afternoon, and this time kept the pressure on and pulled away for an 8-and-6 victory.

He played bogey-free over the final 12 holes and made five birdies, closing out the match while standing over a short birdie putt on No. 12.

He had been scheduled to try to earn a spot in next month’s US Amateur at Merion on July 20 in a qualifier at Boston Golf Club, but along with a shiny silver trophy, the biggest perk of being a state champion is the exemption it comes with.

“This helps out the future,” Emmerich said. “I was very indecisive about pursuing professional golf or getting the J-word—a job. I think this shows that when I believe in myself, the sky can be the limit.”

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Georgantas, who recently graduated from Foxborough High and will play at Providence, was competing in the tournament for the first time.

“It’s hard to know if you’re good enough or if you’re one of the better players around,” Georgantas said. “I feel like this proves that I have what it takes and I have the game for it.”

He trailed for much of the day, but managed to tie the match in the morning with an eagle-birdie stretch on the back-to-back par 5s, Nos. 12 and 13.

Emmerich, who reached the semifinals a year ago, immediately grabbed the lead back with a birdie at the par-3 14th, rolling in a 10-foot putt. Georgantas missed from about 6 feet.

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