GREENVILLE, S.C. – Wofford senior men's golfer Matthew Larkin represented the Terriers well in the Upstate Amateur with a 10-under-par 134 total score to claim the crown by one stroke. Larkin's comeback win at the Green Valley Country Club was highlighted by a 66 in Monday's final round to finish 6-under par, which was enough to edge Walt Todd for the triumph.
 
Larkin totaled 13 birdies in the two-round event, with seven coming on day two. Coming up clutch, four of those were in the final six holes, and he birdied three of the final four holes. Larkin's 13 total birdies were the second most of any competitor in the event, just shy of Kristoffer Larsson's 14.
 
With a round-one score of 68, Larkin had placed himself in prime position to compete on day two. The only thing is, so had a plethora of others. Six players were tied for first after day one, and 44 more stood within four shots of those leaders, including Larkin.
 
Needing a strong showing on the final day, Larkin got to work. To help him, leader Walt Todd had concluded his day earlier with a 9-under finish, setting a clear mark for Larkin to chase. Larkin began his clutch heroics with a birdie on 13. He followed that up with another on 15, and he almost eagled on 16 but still secured a birdie to pull even with Todd.
 
A third-straight birdie on 17 gave Larkin a one-stroke lead, so the senior played the 18^th hole conservatively. With a tap-in par, Larkin sealed his win.
 
The Upstate Amateur has become somewhat of an unofficial beginning to the collegiate golf season, as multiple local college teams send players to the field. For Larkin and Wofford, the triumph may help generate some momentum for the upcoming campaign.
 
"I'm hitting it really well," Larkin said. "I've got to get the wedges dialed in a little better. I'm hitting some good putts, but not all of them are falling. Once some more start falling, I'll be really excited about the year to come."
 
The fall slate kicks off for the Terriers with a three-day tournament from Friday, Sept. 9 to Sunday, Sept. 11 in the Gene Miranda Invitational. The event is hosted by the Air Force Academy in Colorado and is the first of four fall events for the Wofford men's golf team.