BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (July 29, 2018) – In the end, the Bakersfield City Championship came down to a dramatic finish, with Brady Baguio playing the last four holes in 3 under to defeat D.J. Fernando by a shot.

Fernando and Baguio both shot 68 on the first day of competition at Sundale Golf Club, but in Round 2, Fernando started hot and was 4 under after the first five holes. By the 14th tee, Fernando had a two-shot lead over Baguio. Things looked like they would change, however, as Baguio had a short putt for a birdie and Fernando had a 15-footer. Fernando was relentless and poured in another long putt as Baguio missed.

Fernando lost a stroke at the par-4 15th when Baguio made birdie from 3 feet and another when he hit his drive into the water at No. 16.

At No. 17, a 152-yard par 3 with all carry over water, Baguio hit it to inside 2 feet, and Fernando’s shot finished about 18 feet below the hole. Fernando left his putt short, but then drained it before Baguio tapped his in for another birdie. Fernando’s lead had vanished and it came down to the 18th hole.

Fernando pushed his drive to the right and finished with a tree blocking a straight approach to the green. Baguio’s ball was in the center of the fairway about 160 yards away. Fernando hit a low hook around the trees and carried the water to finish short left of the green, with plenty of green between him and the hole. Baguio, on the other hand, came out of his shot and blocked it to the right of the green, which is protected by several large pine trees. Fernando only needed to carry the bunker in front of him and let the ball roll out to the cup. Baguio had been fortunate that his ball found the small opening between the trees. That allowed him a lofted shot over a bunker to a pin trucked up against the near edge of the green.

Fernando’s approach ended up 12 feet below the cup while Baguio pulled off an incredible shot. It hit in the rough between the bunker and the green and slowly trickled to 4 feet from the hole. When Baguio made his putt and Fernando missed his, it gave Baguio an unprecedented fifth city championship.

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