Moore completes golf’s ‘Am Slam’ in grand style

Adam Candee

Monday, Aug. 23, 2004 | 9:24 a.m.

They are slain in silence, these opponents of Ryan Moore, without any understanding of what just happened. He offers no outward emotion, no read into how he plans to beat you. But he will, and somehow, he conveys that stark reality without a word.

And with confidence earned through a summer of catapulting from one of the nation's best college players into the preeminent amateur in the country, Moore really does not care who else shows up to play against him. Witness the conversation Moore had with UNLV golf coach Dwaine Knight before the first day of match play at this week's U.S. Amateur.

"I asked him, 'Who are you going to play?'" Knight said. "He said, 'Whoever shows up on the first tee.'"

Luke List, a 19-year-old sophomore at Vanderbilt University, showed up Sunday morning at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., for the 36-hole final match. He led Moore for 34 holes before the Rebels' senior star efficiently birdied the final four holes of the day to erase a two-hole deficit and win 2-up, completing one of the most amazing summer stretches in golf history by coolly overcoming another huge challenge.

During the past three months, Moore has won the NCAA championship, U.S. Amateur Public Links, Sahalee PlayerscChampionship and Western Amateur.

His victory in the U.S. Amateur -- the crown jewel of non-professional tournaments in the country -- makes Moore the first player ever to win that tournament and the Publinx in the same year and the fourth man to win two U.S. Golf Association tournaments in one year.

"What he's done (Sunday) is historic," Knight said. "Bobby Jones won the Grand Slam (in 1930), but Ryan won the Amateur Slam."

Moore could not be reached for comment Sunday night, but he told the Associated Press that his latest comeback victory was a product of that quiet confidence which buoys him through tough rounds and unsettles opponents no matter how big their lead.

"I was close all day, and I knew I was going to make some putts coming down the stretch," Moore said. "I know I can close as good as anyone."

Near the midway point of the match, List led 4-up against Moore. That lead slipped to 1-up with six holes to play, only to have List push it back to two holes with a clutch birdie at No. 14. That putt came between impressive List saves at both No. 13 and No. 15, up-and-down miracles from the long rough and deep bunker, respectively.

No matter to Moore, who ritually stayed in the fairway, worked to the center of the green, drilled key putts and refused to falter while pressuring List into mistakes over the final nine holes.

"He doesn't have to press it," Knight said. "He's proven that he can wait them out."

Moore's patience was tested after his NCAA win in June, when a congenital cyst on his tailbone required emergency surgery in Columbus, Ohio, where he was preparing for a U.S. Open qualifier. He had to take a few weeks off from golf, but that is not evident in the way he has played since returning.

"He's controlling the ball, he really is," Knight said. "That gives him control of the golf course."

His summer wins have earned Moore the right to play as an amateur in three of golf's four majors next year -- the British Open at St. Andrews, the U.S. Open at Pinehurst and the Masters at Augusta National. His trips to the U.S. Open and Masters will be Moore's second in both events.

So much for the talk that Moore needed to turn pro after his outstanding junior season -- his summer of amateur excellence may be worth more later than a trip to Q-school would have now.

"His worth will only continue to grow," Knight said.

Moore will begin the fall semester at UNLV next week, but not before taking a few days off to enjoy his latest accomplishment.

"This was the goal at the beginning of the summer," Moore said of his U.S. Amateur win. "I'm not sure what else to say, I'm so excited."