Recap courtesy of Pate Clarson of the Ocean Course at Hokuala

Motivated by last year’s runner-up finish to BYU, Arizona weathered strong winds all week on the Ocean Course at Hōkūala to emerge victorious in the 2024 John A. Burns Intercollegiate. California, New Mexico, Grand Canyon, and Long Beach State all rounded out the top five.

“Our team’s ability to maintain their composure down the stretch on this challenging layout was commendable,” said Arizona Men’s Golf Coach Jim Anderson, who has guided the program since 2012. “Beginning with Yannick and continuing with Zach, different players shined each day, which culminated in a rewarding victory. The Burns remains one of our favorite events year in and year out.”

Heading into the final round, the Wildcats grew their two-shot lead to finish at 20-under par (844) and claim their fourth Burns’ team title (1992, 2003, ‘04, ‘24). Following Arizona’s second-place finish in their home event in Tucson, Anderson’s team rose to the occasion on Kaua‘i. Three Wildcats placed in the top nine, led by 2023 Dutch Amateur champion Yannick Malik, who finished T2 and tied the Burns’ single-round scoring record on Thursday at 8- under (64), and Zach Pollo (T3), the 2023 California Amateur and 2022-23 Pac-12 All-Freshman selection.

California, with five Burns’ titles to their name (2011, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15), had the lowest final-round score of 17-under to finish in solo second. New Mexico, who has traveled to the Aloha State for all 47 editions of the Burns and has three team tournament titles (2001, ’05, ’22), placed in third at 10-under.

Bastien Amat, a junior from New Mexico, carded a brilliant final-round 8-under 64 to win the 2024 Burns’ individual title by five shots at 13-under 203. Amat and Kaungyu Chen of California, who finished T3, both tied Malik’s aforementioned scoring record on Saturday. Chen was the medalist at the 2023 California Amateur.

Related: CALIFORNIA AMATEUR: MEDALIST CHEN SEEKS TO END 13-YEAR DROUGHT

Amat is ranked No. 26 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com World Rankings and finished T3 at the Men's World Amateur Team Championships. 

Bastien Amat

“I began 5-under on my first four holes with three birdies and an eagle, which set the tone for a special day,” remarked Amat. “Though I mis-clubbed on 15 from the strong winds and made bogey, I still shot 3- under on the back, which provided a helpful buffer coming down the stretch.”

Amat made the cut in the PGA TOUR’s 2023 Barracuda Championship after receiving a sponsor’s exemption from his Wolf Pack Classic collegiate win. Born and raised in France, the 2023 U.S. Open qualifier and All-Mountain West selection finished ahead of Malik, and Zach Pollo of Arizona, who both finished T2 and Georgia Southern’s Hayden Carner finished T3.

Justin Hastings, a San Diego State junior from the Cayman Islands, finished T6. He will compete in the Korn Ferry Tour’s NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank in March. Statistically, the par-4 18th was again the most difficult hole, with 63 bogies (or worse) recorded with a 4.8 scoring average. Hole 4, a 506-yard par-5, produced a 4.19 scoring average, with 92 birdies (or better).

The host Hawaii were led by senior Kolbe Irei, who finished T23. The 2022 Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar finished at 1-under.