Farmingdale, N.Y.--Heading into the final round of this year's Met Open Championship six shots behind the 36-hole leader Rick Hartmann, reigning Met Amateur champion Johnson Wagner of Garrison Golf Club knew he needed a near perfect performance to become only the second player to capture both crowns in the same season and just the fifth amateur in the event's storied 86-year history to have his name engraved on the Walter L. Trammel trophy. 

Wagner refused to disappoint and forever etched his name in the record books by firing an impressive final round four-under par 66 for a three round total of four-under par 206 (68-72-68) to edge Hartmann, the 1998 champ, who struggled to a final round 75 and a three round one -under par total of 209 (69-65-75) at Bethpage State Park's Black Course, the site of next year's U.S. Open Championship. 

The 21-year old senior to be at Virginia Tech started the day hot with a birdie on the first hole and finished with a total of five birdies and only one bogey to equal George Zahringer III's 1985 feat as the only player to capture both the Met Open and Met Amateur in the same season.  "To have my name on the same trophy as such legends as Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen is overwhelming for me.  I think the long drive back to school tomorrow morning will give me some time to let it all sink in," the newly crowned champ said afterwards.

Hartmann never seemed to get it going after equaling the competitive course record of 65 in yesterday's second round.  Hartmann needed 16-holes to make his first birdie of the day and carded six bogeys on Bethpage's difficult layout, which played to a severe 7,289 yards all week in the last championship to be held on the Black Course prior to next year's U.S. Open.  "It's a tough golf course that makes you have to hit quality shots.  I just didn't have it today," he runner-up at this year's New York State Open at Bethpage said afterwards.

2001 New York State Open champion John Nieporte of North Hills finished in a tie for third at 212 with Hollywood head professional Ron McDougal.  Defending champion Mike Gilmore of Wheatley Hills finished at 220.  The top 25-finishers will be exempt from qualifying when the Met Open visits Winged Foot's historic West Course for the 2002 Met Open.