| Paul Simson | Sean Knapp | |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | Age | 
   55 | 
| Raleigh, N.C. | Hometown | Oakmont, Pa. | 
| University of New Mexico | College | Indiana University of Pennsylvania | 
| Won (2010, 2012) | Best previous finish | First start | 
| No. 7 (73-70) / 77 holes | Seeding, match holes played | No. 25 (shot 76-71) / 81 holes | 
| Defeated 2015 champion Chip Lutz, 2016 runner-up Matt Sughrue | Path to final | Defeated 2013 champion Doug Hanzel, 2016 champion Dave Ryan | 
| His parents | Influences | Brother-in-law Robert Stoner | 
| Insurance Executive | Occupation | Financial Sales | 
| 10 | Age started playing | 19 | 
| 12 (including one in 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur) | Holes-in-one | 9 | 
| 62 | Lowest competitive round | 63 | 
| Won 2010 U.S. Senior Amateur to complete winning the British, Canadian and U.S. senior championships in the same year | Noteworthy | Named Western Pa. Player of the Year 14 times | 
| U.S. Mid-Amateur semifinalist (1991); played in 1998 U.S. Open; low amateur in 2001 U.S. Senior Open | USGA credentials | Two-time U.S. Mid-Amateur semifinalist (2008, 2010); Took on Tiger Woods in Round of 16 of 1995 U.S. Amateur, losing 2 and 1 | 
| Always wears a straw hat in competition | Fun Fact | Played Division II college basketball | 
U.S. SENIOR AMATEUR
The Finalists: Tale of the Tape
                    
                    |
                    Aug 30, 2017
                    |
                        MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.
                    
                
                
            
Paul Simson (left) and Sean Knapp will square off in Thursday's championship match. (USGA/Chris Keane)



