Max Herendeen wraps up win at inaugural Coachella Amateur

Max Herendeen shot a final round 70 (-2) to win the inaugural Coachella Amateur at Terra Lago Golf Course (North Course) on Friday.

His 54-hole total of 8-under 208 (67-71-70) earned the Illinois-commit a three-stroke victory over Long Beach State freshman Ivan Barahona (-5). Ryan Voois, who will join Herendeen at Illinois next fall, finished five back at 3-under while Edan Cui, Jack Beauchamp and Dylan Oyama rounded out the top-five at 2-under.

Herendeen, currently ranked 21st in the nation by the American Junior Golf Association, fired an opening round 67 (-5) to open a three-shot lead on the field and never looked back in notching his first win since capturing the prestigious Junior PGA Championship at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in August.

“It was a fun week this week," said the Bellevue, Wash. native. "I hit my driver well and kept it in play. It was super important to be on the right side of the holes with some of these pins and managed my iron game nicely.

"Trying to keep the round stress-free was the goal and I did a nice job of that. Was fun to compete this week with a little different field with some college players. Thanks to Terra Lago and the Saguaro Am Series for putting on a great event.”

The next event in the Troon Saguaro Amateur Series will be the Grapevine Amateur, Dec. 27-30 at Silverado Golf Club in Napa, Calif.