Sonoran Amateur: Jimmy Dales secures victory in a nail-biting playoff

University of Wyoming senior Jimmy Dales from Detroit, MI, shot 12-under par to enter a three-way playoff and birdied the first extra hole to win the Sonoran Amateur at Talking Stick Golf Course in Ariz.

Dales' remarkable 12-under par score, following rounds of 66-67-65, was on par with the scores of William Ma from San Diego, Calif., and Parker Bunn from Ogden, Ut., both bound for Harvard and Oklahoma State, respectively. Ma carded rounds of 68-64-66, and Bunn posted scores of 67-65-66 to join Dales in the playoff.

Entering the final round in fifth place, Dales trailed the 36-hole co-leaders, Cody Walker, Clark Tucker, William Ma, and Parker Bunn, who all led the field at 12-under par after two rounds. Ma and Bunn maintained their lead with identical final rounds of 4-under 66, setting the stage for a tense finish.



Dales, however, made a compelling comeback in the final round, finishing with a 5-under 65 that included a crucial birdie on the last hole. In the subsequent playoff, he secured another birdie on the first extra hole, ultimately claiming the trophy.

This victory marks Dales's second consecutive win, following his previous triumph at the Orlando International Amateur held at Mission Inn Golf & Resort in FL.

The Troon Saguaro Amateur Series, a world-ranked amateur tournament series, is hosting ten tournaments in the 2023-24 season. The Sonoran Amateur, now in its fourth year, was hosted at the Talking Stick Golf course for the first time. The venue also hosts other prestigious events like the Sizzler Amateur and the Scottsdale Open, a high-level professional tournament. The Sonoran Amateur is the ninth tournament in the 2023-24 Series.

Looking ahead, the championship event, the Saguaro Amateur, is scheduled for January 8-10 at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes in Maricopa, Ariz.