Michel & # 39; s bid for American Mid-Am history
Stewart Hagestad (left) congratulates Lukas Michel on his victory in the semi-final. Image: USGA
Lukas Michel is about to write history.
No foreign-born player has won the American Mid-Amateur Championship in the 38-year history of the event, but Melbourne & # 39; s Michel has stormed into the Colorado final today.
The 25-year-old will face Joseph Deraney, of Mississippi, in the 36-hole showdown tee-off at 22:00 tonight's Melbourne time (AEST).
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And if he succeeds, his wildest dreams will come true with exceptions in next year's Masters and US Open.
Michel is the third Australian to reach a USGA final in 2019, joining US Women & # 39; s amateur champion Gabriela Ruffels and US. Senior Women & # 39; s Amateur second place Sue Wooster
The No.46 seed earned its last berth by expelling 2016 champion, Stewart Hagestad, 2-up in their semi-final.
"I'm really happy with the day – it doesn't get better than two wins," Michel said.
"It is definitely the greatest achievement I have probably had in my career so far.
"It means a lot, a little proves that my game is a bit where it should be.
"I can't ask for much more."
In his first US-Mid amateur performance, the Metropolitan member played exceptionally well and took an early lead of 3 to 9 in his game against Hagestad.
But Hagestad, who helped the US to win the Walker Cup, slowly broke the gap and eventually took a 1 lead with a birdie on the par-5 15th hole.
The Victorian state team member rebounded with a beautiful 5-iron approach to 10 feet, setting up a two-putt birdie at 16 to tie the game.
Hagestad then missed the par-3 17th green with his tee shot, leading to bogey.
Michel capitalized with a two-putt par link and took a lead of 1 to 18.
When Hagestad found a fairway bunker and flew his second into the green, Michel was left with a 15-ft for a birdie and the game.
When Hagestad, World No.5, was unable to convert his par putt, Michel stayed behind at 2 ft to seal his final berth.
"It was clearly a very good day," said World No.287.
& # 39; & # 39; Very well played in the morning. Played a great front nine against Stewart. Really happy to get that lead early.
And with two important places on the line, Michel is fully aware of what awaits us and what he has to do to get there.
"(I am) just trying to get away from everything else that happens."
"Just get sharpened in what I have to do: take golf shots."
"Pro & # 39; s can play their entire life and not get that chance – nothing gets better than that."
In the quarter-finals in the morning, Michel needed 20 holes to eliminate Jacob Koppenberg after he had seen a 4 in 5 lead to evaporate.
Koppenberg made two birdies and an eagle before he won the 18th hole with a par to force extra holes. After both players had seeded the 19th hole of par-5, Michel conquered with a par of two putt from 20 feet on par-3 20th.
Michel & # 39; s way to the quarterfinals:
69-76 in line play to earn number 46
R64: Def. Marc Engellenner 2-up
R32: Final. Nick Nosewicz, 2 & 1
R16: Final. Dan Ellis, 4 & 3
Quarters: Def. Jacob Koppenberg on the 20th
Semi-final: Def. Stewart Hagestad 2-up
