Greyson Leach of Rolling Hills Estates not only won the 124th California Golf Association Amateur Championship, he did in in style.
The 20-year-old Leach, who will be a junior at the University of Oregon, set the course record in his six-stroke victory over Kyle An of Aliso Viejo and Phillippe Yturralde of La Meda at Rolling Hills Country Club, which Leach played growing up and where is a past club champion.
“My putting was the best part of my game this week,” said Leach, who captured the 2020 Inland Open Amateur and also claimed several Southern California Golf Association Junior Tour events. “In order to score here at Rolling Hills CC, you need to roll it well. This is best I’ve ever putted in a tournament.
“I didn’t check the leaderboard until the 16th hole. The entire time I was just worried about myself and staying in my game. I’m happy to see everyone and I’m glad my family is here to celebrate with me. I can’t wait to get in there and share this with all of them.”
Leach, who made a hole in one while playing for Oregon in the NCAA Championships earlier this year, posted a score of 65-64-68-70—267, 21-under par at Rolling Hills Estates to break the record of 19-under set by Rico Hoey of Rancho Cucamonga and USC in 2019 at Barona Creek Golf Club in Lakeside.
An posted a score of 72-69-66-66—273 to tie for second with Yturrald, who finished at 67-69-66-71—273, while Krando Nishiba of San Diego was fourth, and Joshua Koo of Cerritos shot 72-68-63-72—275 to tie for fifth with Aiden Tran of Fresno, who wound up at 67-69-66-73—275.
Robert Keilch of Newport Beach was seventh at 72-69-68-68—277, while Ethan Chang of Eastvale carded a score of 71-69-71-67—278 to tie for eighth with Jack Boulger of Walpole, Mass, who totaled 70-71-68-69—278 and Michael McCabe of Moorpark, who came in at 69-70-68-71—278.
Previous winners of the California Amateur Championship, which dates to 1900 and was won that year by Charles E. Orr, include legendary California golfers such as Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay, John Pate, Charlie Wi, Al Geiberger, Tim Hogarth, John Merrick, Rico Bollini, John Jacobs, Scott McGihon, Craig Steinberg, Paul Stankowski, Todd Demsey, Jeff Hart, Barry Jaekel, George Von Elm, Charles Seaver, Kevin Marsh, Paul Hunter, Walter Fairbanks, Johnny Dawson, Smiley Quick, Bruce McCormick, Mark Pfeil, Jim Ferrie, Verne Callison, Willie Hunter, Beau Hossler, Sahith Thegala and Rico Hoey.
For complete results, visit https://scga-124thscgaamateurchampionship.golfgenius.com/pages/3954477
