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GREENSBORO -- LSU's Clayton Rotz nearly squandered an eight-shot lead but emerged with the Cardinal Amateur championship title Sunday at the Cardinal Country Club.

Rotz, a left-hander from Chambersburg, Pa., who will celebrate his 21st birthday today, fired a five-over 75 Sunday, besting UNCG's Drew Yountz by three strokes. Seven golfers, including Greensboro's Will Bowman, finished in a tie for third, six strokes back.

Rotz played conservatively on the front nine, making the turn at even par. Charlotte's Brian Westveer, who started the day at 1-over, shot a 33 on the front nine and cut Rotz's lead to four strokes. However, he struggled on the back nine and landed in the logjam for third.

Younts, a communication studies major, sank a birdie putt on the 14th and saved par on holes that the other two faltered on, passing Westveer for second and cutting Rotz's lead to three strokes. But the deficit was too great to overcome.

"I've been playing good golf the last month or so and I knew that if I could keep my emotions in check and have patience I could finish well," said Younts, a Northwest Guilford High School graduate who has competed in five Cardinal Amateurs. "This course definitely takes some local knowledge and I kind of consider it my second home course."

Other than two double bogeys -- one coming on the 18th hole when the tournament was decided -- Rotz played a strong round, out-driving Westveer and Younts on nearly every hole. He also squeaked out of tough situations that featured two shots out of sand traps and an impressive chip shot on the sixth to save par.

Never having played on the course before this weekend, Rotz said he went into the tournament with an open mind, mainly focused on playing well before he returns to school for his junior season.

"We have such a good team this season and I just want to keep playing solid as an individual to add to the team," he said. "It's great to win as an individual, but it doesn't compare to winning as a team."