Arizona Open: Cody Massa claims four-shot victory

Cody Massa of Cave Creek, Ariz., capped a dominant week by winning the Arizona Open Championship, firing rounds of 67-64-66 to finish at 13-under 197, four shots clear of the field at Papago Golf Club.

The 40-year-old entered the final round tied for the lead with Ethan Butters, then separated himself with a composed 4-under 66 to secure his biggest victory of the season. The title adds to Massa's already impressive résumé that includes back-to-back Arizona Mid-Amateur Championships in 2024 and 2025.

Butters, the 17-year-old from Chandler who has verbally committed to Arizona State for the fall of 2027, closed with an even-par 70 to finish T-2 at 9-under 201. He shared runner-up honors with former PGA Tour players Mark Baldwin of Mesa and Jim Knous of Cave Creek, along with recent UNLV graduate Trevor Lewis.

Brayden Bozak of Chandler, a fifth-year player at the University of Denver, finished sixth at 8-under 202 after rounds of 66-66-70.

Ethan Butters of Chandler, Ariz., and Cody Massa of Cave Creek, Ariz., emerged as co-leaders after 36 holes of the Arizona Amateur Championship, both reaching 9-under 131 at Papago Golf Club in Phoenix.

Butters, who has verbally committed to Arizona State for the fall of 2027, backed up his opening-round 65 with a 4-under 66 to earn a share of the lead. The Chandler native continues to build on an impressive summer that included medalist honors at the Arizona Amateur Match Play Championship before advancing to the Round of 16.

Massa charged into a tie for the lead with the low round of the day, a flawless 6-under 64. The two-time Arizona Mid-Amateur champion (2024, 2025) erased a two-shot overnight deficit with six birdies to pull alongside Butters.

Another amateur, Brayden Bozak of Chandler, a fifth-year player at the University of Denver, stayed within striking distance after posting his second consecutive 4-under 66. At 8-under 132, he trails the leaders by just one shot entering the final round.

Asher Nelson of Scottsdale, an Oklahoma State commit for 2027, added a 1-under 69 to move into a tie for eighth at 5-under 135, giving amateurs four of the top 10 positions on the leaderboard.

The 156-player field was trimmed to the top 50 players and ties after 36 holes, with the championship set to be decided over the final round on Wednesday.