Palmer Jackson wins prestigious Jones Cup Invitational

Palmer Jackson leaked some oil in Sunday’s final round but still managed his top victory to date at the Jones Cup Invitational at Ocean Forest Golf Club in Sea Island, Ga.

Jackson, a Notre Dame junior and Franklin Regional graduate, closed with a 4-over-par 76 in challenging weather conditions but it did little to offset the 66 and 69 he posted in the opening 36 holes.

At 5-under 211, he won the prestigious amateur event by three over Oklahoma senior Logan McAllister (214).

Jackson made six birdies and an eagle in the first round, and had five birdies in the second. But Jackson had four bogeys and no birdies Sunday as the temperature hovered in low 40s and stiff winds whipped across the Georgia coastline.

“That was the most difficult tournament round I’ve ever had to play,” Jackson told amateurgolf.com. “I think I have faced similar conditions to that before, but not on a golf course where you’ve got to hit it straight on every hole. And, when the wind picked up out here out by the coast, it was a true challenge. Just making par felt like birdie on a lot of holes. That’s fun to do, but not when you’re in the lead. So, I’m happy I got it in.”

A Ping D1 All-Region player in the spring, Jackson helped the Fighting Irish reach the NCAA Regional for the first time since 2012. He has the lowest career scoring average in program history at 71.25.

Congratulations to our 2022 Jones Cup Invitational Champion, Palmer Jackson! ???? pic.twitter.com/YgOCF6KVVZ

— JonesCupInvitational (@Jones_Cup) February 6, 2022