1988

Jason Widener, 17, of Greensboro, North Carolina, defeated Brandon Knight of Denton, Texas, 1 up, in the final at Yale University Golf Club in New Haven, Connecticut.

Brad Lehmann of Louisville, Kentucky, earned the qualifying medal with rounds of 66-74-140. His first-round 66 tied a championship record set by Kurt Beck in 1966. Lehmann was eliminated in the second round by William Power of Richmond, Virginia, 1 up.

Widener, who qualified third at 143, was not extended past the 16th hole in any match on his way to the final. He defeated the second-low qualifier, Jon Veneziano of Kensington, Connecticut, 4 and 3, to earn his place in the final.

Knight, on the other hand, survived two 19-hole matches-against Hank Smith of Waycross, Georgia, in the second round and David White of Little Rock, Arkansas, in the third round.

Knight ousted Ronald Whittaker, also of Little Rock, 2 and 1, to reach the final. Birdies at the eighth and ninth holes gave Widener a 2-up advantage in the final.

He stretched his lead to three holes with a par at the 12th, but Knight cut the lead to one hole with birdies at the 13th and 16th. Widener and Knight parred the final two holes, giving Widener the 1-up victory. The USGA accepted 2,087 entries for the championship.