BAKERSFIELD, CA (July 24, 2016) -- Matt Hammons shot back-to-back 68's and finished 8-under to win the the Bakersfield City Amateur. Hammons began the final day at Sundale Country Club two-strokes behind three-time champion D.J. Fernando (-5) before finishing three-strokes better than him.

“This means a lot,” Hammons told The Bakersfield Californian. “I’ve been playing in this tournament for a long time now and never been able to win it. It just means a lot to finally win it."

Fernando started the day 6-under and parred each of the first nine-hole to maintain his lead. However, at the start of the back-nine the 33-year-old bogeyed two straight holes and when Hammons poured in a long birdie on the par-3 11th the lead had switched hands for good.

The birdie on the 11th was one of six birdies on the day for the former CSU Bakersfield star, against just two bogeys.

“Early in the week I said my goal was to shoot two rounds in the 60’s and if that was good enough than great,” Hammons said. “It turned out that two rounds in the 60’s was good enough.”

Ryan Roodzant and Ryan Hoffenberg both finished 3-under tied for third while Blake McPherson was 2-under and fifth.

-The Bakersfield Californian contributed to this story

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