rolex logo

Groppuso Edges Cavaliere for Met Amateur Title

BERNARDSVILLE, N.J. (August 4, 2024) — In his first appearance in the event, Donte Groppuso of Wiltwyck made the best first impression by winning the 122nd Met Amateur at Somerset Hills Country Club, defeating Christian Cavaliere of Hudson National, 1-up.

It's the second straight year a debutant has won the event. Josh German of Meadow Brook won at Friar's Head last year, also beating Cavaliere in the 36-hole final. After a top-ten finish in the Ike in June, this is Groppuso's first MGA victory, while Cavaliere is now a three-time runner-up in the Met Amateur.

Related: Results | Photos

After a three-hour and 40-minute lightning delay on Sunday afternoon, Groppuso won the final two holes of the 36-hole final to turn a 1-down deficit into a 1-up win. Groppuso won No. 17 with a two-putt par, then on No. 18, he recorded another two-putt par and won the match after Cavaliere missed his par putt.

"I thought he was going to make it. He didn't miss [par putts] all day," said Groppuso. "He was so tough. He made every comeback I didn't give him. And I was preparing myself for a playoff. When he missed it, I didn't even get the opportunity to do anything. My brother just picked me up. I don't think it will ever sink in. It will, but not for a while."

Despite it being his first-ever Met Amateur appearance, Groppuso proved clutch down the stretch. In three of his four matches, the 22-year-old won two of the last three holes to flip a deficit into a 1-up victory. In the four times he played the par-4 18th in match play, he won the hole three times thanks to quality approaches.

"I had a good number in with my wedge after finally hitting the fairway on [the 18th hole]. I put a good wedge shot on it, and luckily, I two-putted and got away with the win," noted Groppuso on his clinching par.

On the par-4 17th, Groppuso two-putted from above the hole to secure his par, while Cavaliere short-sided himself left and failed to get up and down for par. With the match tied heading into the 36th hole, both competitors found the fairway off the tee. Cavaliere's ball came to rest in a divot, and his ensuing approach shot came in low, and reached hole high before spinning off the front of the green. Groppuso's second shot on 18 landed about 12 feet above the hole. Cavaliere then played a quality chip to inside six feet, navigating a severe slope on the left side of the green. Gropposo's birdie attempt was wayward, but the short putt remaining was conceded for par. Cavaliere set up for par to attempt to extend the match, but the attempt just skirted the hole and left Groppuso victorious.

With his younger brother Gavin on the bag, Groppuso trailed 23 of the 36 times he stepped onto the tee during the championship match. However, Groppuso remained determined and unfazed en route to seeing a dream come true.

"I dreamed of having this opportunity to win something big like this at the highest level as an amateur and spending it with [my family]," said Groppuso, who is heading into his senior year at Florida Southern College. "Especially my little brother. Being able to hug him as my caddie, there are no words to describe it."

In the morning 18, only four holes were tied. Cavaliere won five on the opening nine to lead 4-up at the turn, building his lead behind a run of birdies on Nos. 3-6. However, Groppuso won five of the first six holes on the next nine, highlighted by a birdie from across the green on the par-4 15th, and won the 18th to tie the match. In the afternoon, Cavaliere once again took an early lead, winning Nos. 1 and 3 before Groppuso took Nos. 7 and 9 to return the match to tied. The pair tied the next four holes before storms suspended play and set the stage for the back-and-forth finale.

With the Met Amateur victory, Groppuso earned an exemption into the 124th U.S. Amateur Championship, which takes place August 12-18 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.

Additional Coverage

Met Amateur History | Met Amateur Records | Preview

Day 1 Recap | Day 1 Photos

Day 2 Recap | Day 2 Photos

Day 3 Recap | Day 3 Photos

News Type: 
Featured News