RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA (February 25, 2018) - After coming close in each of the last two years, Ricky Castillo (Yorba Linda, CA) broke through at the Rancho Santa Margarita Amateur at Tijeras Creek Golf Club.
Two years ago, Castillo finished 3rd, three shots behind the champion Everton Hawkins. Last year, he finished runner-up, two shots behind Krando Nishiba.
This year he was in second spot again after the first round, his 69 leaving him three behind Hunter Epson. But a final-round 65--the low round of the day by five shots--catapulted him ahead of the field and gave him a five-shot win over Epson, who closed with a 73.
Jackson Rivera finished third, eight shots back, after rounds of 71-71. Jonathan Yoshihiro was fourth at 143 and Hisham Hussein was fifth at 145.
The defending champion Nishiba finished tied 36th after rounds of 79-78.
Ricky Castillo breaks through at RSM Amateur
After finishing 3rd and 2nd in the last two years, Castillo shot a final-round 65 that beat the field by five shots