Brady Baguio of Bakersfield sank a 10-foot birdie putt on the last hole to capture the 39th Bakersfield City Amateur Championship, winning the tournament for a record fifth time by one stroke over D.J. Fernando of Frazier Park as temperatures soared past 100 degrees at Sundale Country Club.
Baguio, a former star at Cal State Bakersfield, trailed by three strokes with four holes remaining before making short birdie putts on the 15th and 17th holes to pull even, as Fernando’s bogey at No. 15 proved to be critical.
“This is probably the biggest win I could ever have,” said Baguio, who also won the tournament in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2015. “It’s the best win ever. … My heart was pounding out of my chest (during that last putt).
“I just knew that I had to chase (Fernando) and he had to hold onto the lead. That was my thought process the whole time. I knew if I could get within one shot of him with a couple holes left, it would put the pressure on him.”
Baguio finished at 68-65—131, 11-under, collecting seven birdies in his bogey-free round, including four on the last six holes. He barely missed the tournament record of 130 set by Dale Keene in 2002.
Despite the heroics this was not Baguio’s most dramatic victory in the tournament. In 2008, Baguio sank an eight-foot eagle putt on the last hole to beat Bhavik Patel by one shot.
Fernando wound up at 68-66—134, while Blake Bourelle was third at 69-70—139, followed by Tyler Burnes at 69-71—140.
Ruffie Fessler shot 71-70—141 to tie for fifth with Stephen Hale, who finished at 69-72—141, while Garrison Chavez was seventh at 70-72—142, followed by Scott Anderson at 71-74—145.
All the players who wound up between third to eighth are from Bakersfield.
Warren Miller of Bakersfield totaled 75-71—146 to tie for ninth with Josh Wescott of Visalia, who wound up at 73-73—146, Brandon Pinuelas of Bakersfield, who finished at 74-72—146, and first-round leader Terry Kerley of Bakersfield 66-80—146.
Scott Anderson won the Bakersfield Senior Amateur Championship for the third straight year at 72-73—145.
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