Aaron Hickman wins the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play Championship

Aaron Hickman of Tyler wins 2 &1 to claim the 2023 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play Championship. This is Hickman’s second Title in the last four years, previously winning the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play at his home club in 2020, at Willow Brook Country Club.

Championship Match: In Sunday morning’s Championship Match, No. 3 seed Aaron Hickman of Tyler went head-to-head against No. 17 seed Matthew Sullivan of Lewisville. Hickman struck first with a par on the par-4 first to go 1-up.

The two would tie holes No. 2 and 3 with a pair of pars and birdies, respectively, keeping the match at Hickman 1-up. On the 420-yard par-4 4th, Hickman made his second consecutive birdie after sticking his approach shot seven feet.

Hickman and Sullivan would then trade holes back and forth through No. 10. Sullivan added his second birdie of the front nine on the 332-yard par-4 8th after sinking a 12-footer uphill right to left. Hickman’s largest lead on the front nine was 3-up, but Sullivan fought back to get to down 1 after nine holes.

1-up at the turn, Hickman won the 10th after Sullivan’s par putt slide by the hole.

After tying holes No. 11, No. 12, No. 13, and No. 14, Hickman’s birdie putt on the 519-yard par 5th was conceded after Sullivan’s up and down from the bunker wouldn’t fall. Standing on the par-3 16th, Hickman was 3 up with 3 to go, known to many as being dormie.

After what looked like to be the end of the match, Sullivan’s putting came in clutch once again, he drained his 20-foot birdie putt to extend the match to No. 17. After finding the fairway on the par-4 17th, Sullivan’s approach found the front of the green with a back left hole location.

Hickman’s drive found the right rough but was able to muscle one up to the front of the green, about the same distance as Sullivan’s.

After both players missed their birdie putt, Hickman’s par putt was conceded, in which crowned him the Champion.