Hsiao and Galeai turn up the heat at the Sizzler Amateur
21 Jun 2022
by Jim Young of AmateurGolf.com
see also: Kent Hsiao Rankings
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Kent Hsiao (Troon Amateur Series photo)
Kent Hsiao and
Lila Galeai survived triple-digit temperatures in Scottsdale to come away with the men's and women's titles of the 2022 Sizzler Amateur at Talking Stick Golf Club’s O’odham Course on Tuesday.
Hsiao, a native of Taiwan who will be entering his sophomore season at Purdue in the fall, shot a final-round 7-under par 63 to overtake 36-hole leader and former Boise State standout
Cameron Barzekoff by one shot while Galeai, who plays collegiately at BYU, ran away with the women's championship by 13-strokes over
Jieming Yang.
Hsiao’s 63 was the low round of the tournament, and he needed every one of those shots as Barzekoff fired a final-round 67 (-3), which by itself tied for the third-lowest final round on Tuesday. It marks Hsiao’s first win on the Troon Saguaro Amateur Series.
Lila Galeai Barzekoff and Hsiao were basically on top of each other all day long. Playing in the same group, Hsiao birdied holes 12, 13 and 16 en route to his 63. Neither Hsiao or Barzekoff made a bogey in the final round, matching 26 pars up with 10 birdies.
“Winning this tournament was very important to me after a tough freshman year," said Hsiao. "It shows the progress that I have made in the past six months and is a massive confidence booster. I know that I can win in a strong field."
Galeai wasted no time in taking control of the women's division, as the native from Orem, Utah opened with a 4-under 66 on Tuesday en route to shooting 1-over for 54 holes to secure a 13-stroke victory over Yang, who plays collegiately at Cal.
“The course was in good condition," said Galeai. "It was fun to be out there playing. Had some good and bad but glad I was able to finish strong today.”
About the Troon Amateur Series
The Troon Saguaro Amateur Series is a world-ranked amateur tournament series will host 12 events 10 events in the 2022-23 schedule. The next event in the Troon Saguaro Amateur Series will be the Silverado Amateur, July 26-28 at Silverado Golf Club in Napa, California.