Loading article...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading article...
see also: View results for Southern California Match Play, Black Gold Golf Club
The 17-year-old UCLA commit lit up Victoria Club with fearless golf, back-to-back eagles, and a wire-to-wire win.
By the time Baron Nguyen tapped in on the 15th green of Riverside’s Victoria Club, the gallery knew they had seen something special. The 17-year-old from Southern California, already bound for UCLA, had just finished a three-day run of golf so relentless that his name might as well be etched into the course’s memory.
Over five matches in the Southern California Match Play Championship, Nguyen never seemed to let up. He played 80 holes at an eye-popping 29-under par, and more than just the numbers told the story. It was the rhythm — the confident stride off the tee, the way his putter seemed magnetized to the cup, and the killer instinct to close out matches before opponents could find a second wind.
Some players take a few holes to settle into match play. Not Nguyen. He birdied the first hole in all five matches, immediately putting pressure on his opponents. By the final day, that opening salvo felt inevitable. In the championship match, it was no different — one hole in, and John Kim was already trailing.
On Wednesday, Nguyen faced the gauntlet of semifinal and final play, a total of just 33 holes. He played them in 12-under par, including a spectacular burst late in the afternoon — back-to-back eagles on Nos. 14 and 15. The second eagle didn’t just slam the door; it locked it, bolted it, and tossed away the key, ending the match 5&3.
Kim, to his credit, stayed within a single hole through the front nine. But after the turn, Nguyen shifted into another gear, winning four of the next six holes and sealing the biggest victory of his blossoming career.
“This is the biggest win of my career so far,” Nguyen said afterward. Given the way he dismantled one of the toughest match play fields in the state, it’s hard to imagine it will be his last.
The Match Play and Senior Match Play championships began in 2008 as a means of bringing new credence and incentive to the SCGA points program. The SCGA points program awards points to golfers who give strong performances in SCGA, USGA, CGA and other ...
FINAL RESULTS: 2026 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley
Mar 14, 2026Miles Russell surged with a closing 67 to reclaim the boys title while Asterisk Talley dominated the girls division at Sage Valley
Meet the Amateurs in the 2026 Masters: Six Different Paths to Augusta National
Mar 22, 2026From teenage phenoms to seasoned dreamers, the amateur class at the 2026 Masters brings six compelling stories to Augusta
Mark Your Calendars: Key USGA Entry Dates for 2026
Mar 12, 2026For players mapping out a competitive schedule, knowing exactly when USGA entries open and close is critical
San Francisco City Championship: Champions Crowned
Mar 22, 2026Joey Hayden, Gianna Singh, Bob Niger, and Jeff Thomas capped championship week with title-winning performances at Harding Park.
Gary Woodland Wins Houston Open in Emotional Comeback After Brain Surgery
Mar 30, 2026Gary Woodland’s Houston Open win is a reminder of why perseverance matters in golf