WILTON, Conn. Tommy McDonagh wants his championship back. The 2006 Connecticut Amateur Champion and Norwalk resident has returned to the finals of the Wilton tournament after defeating defending champion Bernie D'Amato of Weston and Greg Reilly of New Canaan.
McDonagh and D'Amato did not disappoint in their showdown of former champions, needing two playoff holes to decide their match play quarterfinal. Thursday's torrential rain suspended their quarterfinal after 18 holes, and the two resumed play Friday morning. McDonagh sank a birdie on the 20th hole to retire D'Amato. McDonagh then walloped Reilly in the semifinal, six-and-four, needing just 14 holes to clinch a spot in the finals.
In the other quarterfinal match, 31st-seeded Devon O'Rourke finally ran out of magic. The New Canaan native, who nailed an incredible walk-off hole-in-one in the first round of match play, was thwarted in his Cinderella run by Matt Smith of Thompson, Conn.
McDonagh, a Penn State senior and St. Luke's School graduate, will try for his second Connecticut Amateur Championship trophy against Smith. Smith defeated Austin Loop of New Canaan to reach the finals. The 36-hole match play final starts Saturday at 7 a.m. at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton. Spectators are encouraged to come out for the final.
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