Rudolph Builds Big Lead, Holds Off Galbraith for State Amateur Title

PEBBLE BEACH —  Harry Rudolph III of La Jolla led by six holes at one point but had to hold on to defeat medalist Sandy Galbraith of Fountain Valley, 3 and 2, Friday to win the California Golf Assn.’s 80th annual amateur championship.

Rudolph, 21, medalist in the 1988 USGA Junior Amateur, had birdies on the third, fifth and seventh holes in the morning round to go 3-up after nine holes with a three-under-par 33. He finished the first 18 holes with a lead of 4-up.

Rudolph built his lead to 6-up after 22 holes, but he went into a tailspin and lost four consecutive holes as Galbraith, 45, sliced his deficit to two holes after 28.

Rudolph, who plays for the University of Arizona, regained his momentum with winning pars at the 29th and 30th holes. Galbraith won the 31st and 33rd holes with birdies, but Rudolph took the 32nd with a par to reestablish a three-hole lead.

Each player parred the 34th hole, giving Rudolph an insurmountable lead.

Galbraith also was medalist in the 1971 tournament, but finished second that year, too.