Pacific Northwest Amateur: Aiden Krafft is qualifying medalist
Aidan Krafft (Oregon Athletics photo)
Aiden Krafft of Albuquerque, New Mexico earned Medalist honors at the 121st Pacific Northwest Golf Association Amateur at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.
Kraft shot 70-65 to finish 9-under and earn medalist honors heading into match play, finishing two strokes ahead of first round leader Ben Bordiga of Shoreline, Wash., after he followed up his first round 67 with a second round 70.
Jack Cantlay of Los Alamitos, Calif. and younger brother of PGA Tour member Patrick Cantlay, finished in solo third place at 6-under.
Krafft got off a to blazing start, starting 4-under through his first six holes and finishing with the eight birdies. His only blunder on the round was a bogey on the par-3 No. 9.
Bordiga was struggling to open his round, as he was 2-over through 11 holes of his second round. He was able to record birdies on holes No. 12 and 14 and an eagle hole-out on No. 16 to finish his last seven holes at 4-under and earn the No. 2 seed in match play.
The first round of the stroke play qualifying was held at The Home Course in DuPont, Wash. on July 17, and at Chambers Bay on July 18. All matches will be contested at Chambers Bay.
Krafft is A two-time New Mexico state high school champion and shot a state high school record 12-under 60 in the final round of the 2022 New Mexico state 5A tournament and won the individual title by 12 strokes. He is playing well as of late -- at the end of June he qualified for the U.S. Amateur; he will be
in the field this August at Cherry Hills in Denver.
ABOUT THE PNGA Amateur
First held in 1899, the Pacific Northwest Men’s
Amateur
is one of the country’s longest running amateur
championships. Held annually at world-class courses
throughout the Pacific Northwest, this championship
is
played in the same format as the U.S. Amateur and
features an impressive list of past champions that
include; Nick Flanagan, Ben Crane, Jeff Quinney, Bill
Sander, and Tiger Woods. Eligibility is open to
members
of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association and top
amateurs throughout the world invited via
Presidential
Invitation. Each year’s champion earns a hosted
exemption in to the Pacific Coast Amateur and
Sahalee
Players Championship.
The Championship will be conducted in two stages:
Stroke Play – All players must complete the 36-hole
stroke play qualifying in order to determine the 64
players who will advance to match play. In the event
of a tie for the final qualifying spot(s), a sudden-
death playoff will be used to determine the qualifiers.
In the event of a tie for the Qualifying Medalist, a
sudden-death playoff will commence.
Match Play – The General Numerical Draw will be in
effect. Single elimination match play. 36-hole
Championship Final Match. All other matches are 18
holes.
View Complete Tournament Information