By Ian Thompson

Robert Nelson of Mobile broke 70 all three rounds of a waterlogged State Mid-Amateur Championship at FarmLinks Golf Club in Sylacauga to win by two over Pelham’s Vic Kyatt.

Nelson, 48, shot 67-69-69--205, good for a total of 11-under-par, with former Samford golfer Kyatt, 33, shooting 73-65-69--207.

Steve Hudson finished third after rounds of 72-68-70--210.

All players had a minimum of eight holes Sunday morning to complete their rain-delayed second rounds, with Kyatt making the biggest move with his seven-under-par 65. He trailed Nelson by two after two rounds, with two-time State Mid-Amateur champion Will Swift of Hoover a further shot back.

Nelson started the final round poorly with three bogeys in his first five holes to relinquish his lead.

However, the winner of the 1978 State Junior, regained his poise and reeled off five straight birdies to regain the lead.

His iron play was especially precise as he left himself short putts for the birdies on Nos. 7, 8 and 9, and hit 6 and 10, two par fives, in two and two putted for those birdies.

A further birdie on No. 12 kept him ahead, but Kyatt had birdied 11 to keep in close pusuit. However, a loose tee shot and subsequent lost ball on his second shot led to a double bogey on No. 13 for Kyatt. This left Nelson firmly in the driver’s seat and he parred the final six holes to secure the win.

Kyatt finished strong with two birdies over the last five holes to take second.

“I’ve been playing well coming in here,” Nelson, who has won six events this summer in and around Mobile, as well as losing in the final of the prestigious Labor Day Invitational at The Country Club of Mobile to Zack Sucher, said.

“I played all six nine holes under par and it’s been a long time since I’ve done that. Good things happen when you do that.”

He was using a old Spalding Cash-In putter, at least 40 years old, but it had only been in his bag for six months.

“I picked it up and four other older putters too at a flea market in Jacksonville, Florida. It feels so good and the ball’s been going in the hole.”

Kyatt was pleased with his finish and now heads to St. Louis on Monday, along with Hudson and Swift, to represent Alabama in the United States Golf Association’s State Team Championship.

“I was three-over-par after nine holes of this championship, so to finish up nine-under…I’m very pleased with that. Bad swings can happen (his tee shot on No. 13 in the final round), but I bounced back from it and I’m going to keep working hard at my game.”