Kevin O'Connell wins US Mid-Amateur in all-NC final

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Kevin O'Connell won an all-North Carolina final in the U.S. Mid-Amateur, beating Brett Boner 4 and 3 on Thursday at Charlotte Country Club for a likely Masters invitation.

O'Connell, a 30-year-old former golf equipment representative from Cary, also earned spots in the U.S. Open next year at Pebble Beach and the next two U.S. Amateurs.

''You will be hard-pressed to find a bigger fan of the game than me and I certainly understand the importance of the USGA, and how great their championships are,'' O'Connell said. ''To be the champion right now is probably what I am most proud of and focused on. Just simply being a champion. All the stuff that comes along with it, I think that will hit me a little big later on.''

The 44-year-old Boner, a financial adviser in Charlotte, is a reinstated amateur. He played at Auburn.

''It's a very bittersweet ending because I played really poorly today for the most part,'' Boner said. ''I made some bad decisions that I didn't realize at the time. Maybe experience has something to do with it.''

O'Connell won Nos. 10-14 to take a 5-up lead, was 3 up at the break, and never let Boner get any closer. After a 70-minute delay because of a thunderstorm, the former University of North Carolina player ended it with a par-4 halve on the par-4 33rd.

''It's nice to be able to two-putt to get the win,'' O'Connell said. ''Often times you have to make a putt to win. And then afterward, it's kind of immediate joy. It's just an incredible feeling.''

The Mid-Am is limited to players 25 and older.