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By Jackson Sveen

BERMUDA RUN, N.C. (June 21, 2026) — Throughout much of Saturday's final round at Bermuda Run Country Club's East Course, the 66th North Carolina Amateur Championship felt like it belonged to everyone.

The leaderboard shifted constantly as players charged, stumbled, recovered and charged again. At various points during the final round, as many as four players shared the lead, while several others briefly climbed into a tie for first place as the championship entered its decisive stretch.

When the dust settled, it was Rich Wills of Cramerton, N.C., who emerged from the chaos with the biggest title of his amateur career.

Wills closed with a 6-under-par 66 to finish at 12-under 276 and claim a two-shot victory over Jack LaPiana of Charlotte, N.C., Daniel Boone of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., and third-round co-leader Will Guthrie of Charlotte, N.C., who tied for second at 10-under par.

The final-round 66 matched the low round of the championship, equaling opening-round leader Ayden's Matthew Richardson's first-round 66 and third-round 66s posted by Boone and Griffin Cheatwood of Charlotte, N.C..

Entering the final round, Guthrie and Ryan Jahr of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., shared the lead at 9-under par. But neither player was able to pull away as contenders emerged from all corners of the leaderboard.

One of the biggest charges came from LaPiana.

After beginning the day six shots behind the leaders, LaPiana birdied each of his first six holes to quickly vault into contention and eventually grab an early solo lead at 11-under par. Consecutive bogeys on Nos. 9 and 10 briefly stalled his momentum, but a bounce-back birdie at the 11th hole moved him right back into a tie for first.

LaPiana was far from the only player making a move.

Boone, who began the week with an opening-round 76 and sat 10 shots off the lead after the first round, authored one of the championship's most impressive comebacks. Three birdies and an eagle on the par-4 seventh hole launched him up the leaderboard during the final round. A bogey at the par-3 12th temporarily slowed the charge, but a birdie at the par-5 17th moved Boone to 10-under par and within one shot of the lead with a hole remaining.

Meanwhile, Wills continued to methodically position himself.

For the first time all week, Wills held the solo lead after a tap-in birdie at the par-4 13th moved him to 11-under par with five holes to play.

Even then, the championship remained very much in doubt.

A bogey at the par-4 15th dropped Wills back to 10-under and reopened the door for the pack behind him. But the Clemson golfer responded immediately. A tap-in birdie at the par-3 16th restored a one-shot cushion before a textbook birdie at the par-5 17th pushed him to 12-under par and effectively secured the championship.

"I probably didn't feel like I was in the driver's seat until the last couple holes today," Wills said. "Every round I played fine, but I felt like I was getting the most out of each round. I knew I just needed to shoot something low today."

Wills' victory came on his first visit to Bermuda Run Country Club and capped a week in which he never shot over par, posting rounds of 70-71-69-66.

Several players reached double digits under par during the final round and, at one point, held at least a share of the lead, including Maddux Cook of Wilmington, N.C., BJ Boyce of Spring Lake, N.C., Boone, LaPiana, Guthrie and Jahr. Despite a costly double bogey on the par-5 10th hole, Jahr remained within striking distance throughout much of the afternoon before ultimately finishing tied for sixth at 8-under par.

For Wills, the win not only delivers the prestigious North Carolina Amateur title but also secures an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Amateur Championship.

And after one of the most tightly contested final rounds in recent championship history, he was the last player standing.

The Carolinas Golf Association extends its sincere appreciation to Bermuda Run Country Club for hosting the 66th North Carolina Amateur Championship. Special thanks to General Manager Brian Meeks, Director of Golf Mary Thomas, Head Golf Professional Christopher Ingram, Head Course Superintendent Scott Fallon, Assistant Superintendent Kyle Carter, the club staff, membership and volunteers for their hospitality and support throughout championship week. Their efforts helped provide a first-class experience for the players and a memorable stage for one of the most competitive North Carolina Amateur Championships in recent years. And last, but certainly not least, Cowboy, Bermuda Run's resident goose-control specialist, for his tireless efforts in keeping the fairways free of unwanted visitors.