San Diego’s Kayden Wang delivered a memorable and historic performance at the 2024 Southern California Junior Amateur Championship at Morongo GC.
After three rounds at SoCal’s third toughest public golf course (based on Course Rating), Wang came in with scores of 71-66-68 to finish at 11-under, which set a new championship scoring record. But it wasn’t good enough to win in regulation, as Connor Herrera had also entered the clubhouse with the same score.
“I think somewhere around 14 or 15 I realized that we were kind of close,” said Wang. “Connor was hitting some great shots, and I think I let one or two slip.”
The two had been close well before then, trading spots at the top of the leaderboard all throughout the final round on Sunday. Each of them approached the 18th tee box knotted up at 10-under, and each of them delivered near tap-in birdies to force extra holes.
Replaying the 18th on Morongo’s Champions Course, it quickly became a contest of precision after Wang and Herrera pumped their tee shots to similar spots in the fairway.
Wang happened to stick it closer, leaving himself about ten feet for birdie. Herrera had also reached the green but left himself closer to 15 feet and near the fringe on the right side of the green. Herrera sent his birdie putt, which veered off slightly to the right. Wang converted to end the playoff and cap an incredible performance.
“I think we both hit really good shots into the green,” said Wang. “I’m glad the putt went in.”
In the first round on Friday, Wang carded a 71, facing challenges on the 4th and 14th holes, which he double-bogeyed. Despite these setbacks, he kept his round under control, maintaining a steady rhythm.
Wang bounced back on Saturday, carding a 66 for his lowest round of the tournament with an impressive front nine of 33 and matching that with another 33 on the back nine. Notable was his birdie on the 17th, where he sunk a tricky putt on the par 3.
“I’ve been working on my putting a lot,” said Wang. “I’m glad to see that’s paid off because putting was by far the strongest thing this week. It’s good to know that some things I put effort into will pay off.”
With the win, Wang, who is verbally committed to play golf at the University of Pennsylvania, earns exemption to both the 2025 SCGA Amateur at Torrey Pines and 2025 California Amateur at Granite Bay.
“This is my first time winning a big event,” said Wang. “I’ve come close a couple times but getting it done today is really meaningful to me. I guess I proved something to myself. All of my friends and competitors out there didn’t make it easy”