McConie claims the 2024 Michael Hebron Championship
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (July 3, 2024) -- It was another hot day at Bethpage State Park's Black Course for the 2024 Michael Hebron Amateur Championship as Michael McConie of Colonial Springs went wire to wire recording another round under par to win the title. After opening the tournament with a 3-under 68 he carded a 2-under 69 in the final round to go the distance and claim the championship by six shots.
“I definitely had some nerves ahead of round two, but I just told myself to not play like I had a lead and to pretend or think I was one back and go out there and make aggressive swings,” said the 18-year-old.
The Black course at Bethpage proved to be a challenge as it would play longer in round two. McConie started off with several pars before adding two bogeys and a birdie. It was on the par-4 sixth hole where his round turned around. After carrying a large bunker and catching extra roll down the hill on his tee shot, he was left with just a short iron in, which he holed out for eagle from the fairway.
“I think it played a little harder today, with it being a little longer and the wind got up on the back nine,” said McConie.
McConie didn't look back after this, recording two more birdies on Nos. 9 and 11 to shoot his second consecutive under-par round for the event that separated him from the field by six shots.
Finishing in solo second with the only other under-par round of the day was MGA eClub - Long Island member Arjun Singh Bhatia. Bhatia opened the championship with a 1-over 74. It was round two where he made his push up the leaderboard. Bhatia opened his round with birdies on Nos. 2 and 3. He made two more throughout his round on his way to firing a 2-under 69. He was one of just two players to shoot under par on the day.
Rounding out the top three were Jackson Weisbrot of North Fork along with MET PGA Junior Golf Club member Dean Muratore, who both finished at 5-over par.