Marez Outlasts Suh in Champions Division Playoff

Marez set the tone early in the tournament with his opening 68, but Sunday at Old Del Monte was a different story. He admitted he “got off to a rough start” in the final round, saying he didn’t hit a very good tee shot on the first hole but managed to escape with a par. From there, he “struggled with wedges all week, especially on the front nine,” which opened the door for the chasers.

Jackson Suh and Zachary Hawkins took full advantage, steadily climbing the leaderboard as Marez fought to steady his round. With the course firm and the greens running, Marez leaned on patience more than perfection, later saying he “just kind of hung in there” and reminded himself to “keep hitting greens in regulation and making two putts.”

The back nine became a grind. Marez faced a string of nervy putts in the 4 to 6 foot range and credited those saves for keeping his name at the top of the board. “Had a lot of grueling 4, 5, 6-footers that I made today,” he said. “Very thankful for that.” By the time the field reached the 18th, Suh had erased the deficit, forcing a one-hole playoff for the championship.

In the playoff, Marez drew on the mindset that carried him through a shaky start. “I stayed patient and knew no matter what happened, I’d be okay,” he said. That composure proved decisive as he closed out the win and the 2025 Christmas Classic crown with a two-round total of 141 (68–73). “Ultimately, I stayed patient and got a good result out of it.”

Kavi Marez Carded Rounds of 68 and 73 on His Way to the Christmas Classic Title

Lexi Lowe Claims Women’s Division Title

In the Women’s Division, Lexi Lowe handled the firm greens and tricky lies better than the field, grinding through a difficult opening round before settling in on Sunday. She called Old Del Monte “always a beautiful course” but admitted conditions were demanding, saying it was “a little bit rough” as she fought to “grind it out at the end of day one and stick with it today.”

Lowe pointed to improvement off the tee as a key to her win. “It was rough off the tee yesterday but I got it back,” she said, adding that the “greens were lightning quick” and “the lies were nasty.” Navigating those challenges, she kept her composure down the stretch and closed out the championship, securing her first Christmas Classic title.

After signing her card, Lowe summed up the week simply: “I’m glad to have pulled it through today.” She’s already looking ahead, noting that she can’t wait to return next year to defend her Christmas Classic crown.

Lowe Went Low to Take the Women's Division Title

Other Division Winners

The Christmas Classic crowned champions across several competitive divisions, each showcasing strong play on one of California’s most historic layouts.

• Senior Championship Division — Chris Candelario (Santa Rosa, CA): Candelario surged on Sunday with a stellar 69, overcoming a 77 in round one to post +2 for the championship.
• Net Division — Gyorgy Ordody (San Francisco, CA): Ordody claimed the Net title at +22, following rounds of 80 and 83.
• Mid-Am Division — Jackson Suh (Bellevue, CA): Suh not only reached the playoff for the overall title but also secured the Mid-Am trophy with rounds of 71–70 for a 3-under total.
• Super Senior Division — Andrew Gabelman (Barrington, IL): Gabelman’s rounds of 74–81 earned him the Super Senior title at +11.

Candelario, Ordody, Suh and Gabelman with Their Trophies

About the Christmas Classic

One of AmateurGolf.com’s longest-running competitive traditions, the Christmas Classic annually brings together top juniors, college players, and seasoned amateurs to Old Del Monte Golf Course, the oldest course west of the Mississippi. The event features multiple divisions, pristine winter conditions, and some of the most competitive year-end amateur golf in California.