Luke Kluver breaks through at Nebraska Match Play
June 27, 2020 | by Brayden Conover of AmateurGolf.com
see also: Luke Kluver, View results for Nebraska Match Play, Country Club Of Lincoln
Kansas junior Luke Kluver gets first NGA win over Ryan Nietfeldt
University of Kansas’ Luke Kluver added a trophy to his shelf that he has wanted for a long time.
The Nebraska native and rising Jayhawk junior, home for the summer, had not won a Nebraska Golf Association title prior to this past week.
Earning medalist honors after 36-holes of seeding, Kluver shot a 138 (6-under) for a one-shot ‘victory’ before the event flipped to match play.
As the one-seed, Kluver went 7 & 6, 4 & 3, 1 up (through 20), and 2 up on his way to the championship 36-hole match against 44-year old Ryan Nietfeldt. The matchup heavily favored Nietfeldt as he was going for a record 10th NGA title to become the oldest Nebraska match play winner since 2001.
3-down through 18, Kluver began to make his charge.
“Making 3 on the first hole just let him know I was here to play and I was going to come after him,’’ Kluver told the Omaha World Harold. “To be able to square the match after four holes was huge, and I was able to just keep applying pressure on him as the match went on.”
Tying the match and then taking a 1 up lead at the turn, Kluver never looked back. Winning holes No. 10, 11, 13, and 14, Kluver took control of the match on the back-nine for a 5 & 4 win and his first-ever NGA event.
“This is definitely the biggest amateur golf event I’ve won,’’ he said. “It means a lot being in the state of Nebraska, and just feeling able to put my name on that trophy with a lot of other guys is a big-time success.”
About the Nebraska Match Play
Must be a resident or student of the state of Nebraska. Open to NGA members only. Limited to low 120 indexes. Format will be 36-holes of stroke play to determine a round of 32 match play.
Most Popular Articles
FINAL RESULTS: 2026 Australian Men’s Amateur Championship
Feb 6, 2026Billy Dowling pulled away with a closing 7-under 63 to win the 2026 adidas Australian Men’s Amateur Championship at 18-under.
LIVE SCORING: 2026 Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific
Feb 13, 2026Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Returns — History, Opportunity, and a New Host in New Zealand
Koivun powers Auburn to breakthrough Amer Ari victory
Feb 7, 2026Koivun’s 25-under week sparks Auburn’s record-setting win in Hawaii
2026 Ben Hogan Award Watch List: 35 Names to Know This Spring
Jan 29, 2026The 2026 Ben Hogan Award watch list is out—35 college golf standouts are in the early mix for the game’s top individual honor.
Titleist Fitting Philosophy: The Competitive Amateur’s Fastest Path to Lower Scores
Jan 26, 2026Competitive golf is a game of small edges. Titleist’s fitting approach combines expert human insight and honest data