Gibson sets blazing pace, holds off Green<br/><span class='hl2'>Golf: OGA State Amateur Championship</span>

At last year's OGA State Amateur, Australian Rhein Gibson nearly cooled off the tournament's hottest golfer.

Rhein Gibson started the State Amateur final birdie, birdie, eagle, birdie and went on to win 2 and 1. By CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN

OGA State Amateur Championship

At Gaillardia Golf & Country Club

Semifinal

Rhein Gibson, Oklahoma City def. Zachary Pool, Poteau 7 and 6

Andrew Green, Edmond def. Chris Wilson, Tulsa 6 and 5

Final

Rhein Gibson, Oklahoma City def. Andrew Green, Edmond 2 and 1

Sparked by an unfathomable start in Thursday's championship match, Gibson posted a 2 and 1 victory over a persistent Andrew Green at Gaillardia Country Club.

A four-time All-American at Oklahoma Christian, Gibson started out birdie, birdie, eagle, birdie in the title match to reach 5-under-par through the first four holes.

"Match play is one of those games where you want to get off to a hot start and get your opponent down,” Gibson said. "I had a good run, so it was good to get up on him.”

After a bogey on the fifth hole, Gibson birdied the sixth and seventh holes to go 5-up. Green birdied the ninth hole to narrow the gap to 4-down.

Gibson made the turn at 6-under 30.

"I played good,” Green said, "but heck, he was 5-under after four holes.”

Green parred No. 12 to pull within three holes and was 2-down following an eagle on the par-5 14th hole. Gibson found the water on the par-3 15th and Green was just 1-down after getting up-and-down for par.

"I hung in there and fought my way back,” Green said.

Green's tee shot on the par-4 16th would be his undoing.

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