There isn’t a Grand Slam in high school golf, but if there were Will Ruth could lay a claim to a Palmetto State version of the Slam.

Ruth added his third major high school championship to a pair of big wins last year when he won a playoff with future Clemson golfer Jackson Byrd to win the Palmetto State High School championship.

The 54 hole tournament played on three Myrtle Beach area courses included a field of top teams from South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina.

Ruth was in the event with his Dorman teammates and by the final day was competing for the individual title with several other golfers including the highly ranked Byrd.

After the first two rounds Michael Gavin from Charleston had a 4 shot lead over Ruth and Byrd.

“We were not in the same group so we didn’t know what he was doing,” said Ruth. “He was playing well so we figured he would keep playing good,” said the Dorman junior.

Ruth and Byrd started the final round at True Blue at 3-under par.

Byrd opened with a 67 at the Caledonia Fish and Golf Club and followed it up with a 72 at the Tradition Golf Club.

Ruth shot a 68 at Caledonia and a 71 at The Tradition Golf Club and opened the final round by going three under on the first four holes.

“I had been struggling with my putter, but I got off to a good start making some short putts. I gave the shots back with three bogeys before the turn,” he said.

On the back nine the two battled back and forth until Byrd ran off three straight birdies on 15, 16 and 17 to pull a shot in front of Ruth.

On the final hole Byrd missed his birdie putt, but Ruth found his stroke again and ran in a 15 footer to tie.

Neither golfer was aware of what Gavin had done in the final round until they got into the clubhouse and one of Ruth’s teammates told him he might be in a playoff.

“I saw Micheal (Gavin) and asked how he did and he told me he made a 10 on the fourth hole and he finished with a 79,” said Ruth.

Neither golfer thought they would be in a playoff, but the went back to the 18th hole to decide the competition for medalist honors.

“I just made a birdie on the hole so I felt pretty good about my chances,” said Ruth.

By the time both players got to the green the situation was similar to the last time they played the hole.

Byrd hit his approach shot within birdie range, but Ruth flew his approach to the back of the green.

Once again Ruth was able to make a clutch putt for a birdie, while Byrd missed his chance to keep the playoff going for another hole.

“I’ve been in some close tournaments and won, so I guess I’m getting a little more confident I can do it, but to beat one of the top ranked players in the country in a playoff is big for me,” he said.

With the individual championship at the Palmetto State High school championships Ruth adds the title to his two amazing wins at the end of last season.

Playing at the Palmetto Golf Club, Ruth eagled the par 4 18th hole to win the individual title.

A few weeks later he eagled his final hole at Lexington in the South Carolina High School League Boys 5A state championship.

The eagle tied him with the leader and Ruth went on to win the state championship in a playoff.

The future UNC Wilmington golfer has found the hardest part of winning is staying cool.

“I’ve been so excited to win, but I have to control myself. I don’t want to show up anybody because I know how hard they were trying to win too. I have a lot of respect for the other players, but I was pretty excited,” he said.

Ruth’s Dorman teammates cooled him off with a water bottle shower after he wrapped up the win.

The high school junior is playing a limited schedule due to the demands of his academic schedule.

He will defend his title at the Southern Cross and is part of the 5A Division 1 Cavalier team ,top ranked in their division, in an attempt to win a state title and repeat as individual champion.

“The classes I have, if you miss a day it is like missing a whole week, so I have had to cut back, but I’m looking forward to playing more at the end of the season and into the summer,” concluded the winner of the mythical Palmetto Slam.

Byrd helped his team, Frederica Academy, win the team title with the Greenwood Eagles coming in second place in front of the “B” team from Frederica.

Scores from the Palmetto Championships https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11564180424888456698
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