Vicente Rodriguez saved his best for the finish.
The 6-foot-1 junior from El Dorado Hills, Calif., birdied the 18th hole to capture the Santa Barbara City Golf Championship by one shot after rounds of 66-66-68 at Santa Barbara Golf Club.
Rodriguez, who recently completed his junior season at Alabama A&M and previously played at Santa Barbara City College, finished at 10-under 200 to secure the title in dramatic fashion.
It was far from comfortable down the stretch.
Rodriguez entered the final round tied for the lead with Cal Poly junior Leo Metzger, the tournament champion in both 2022 and 2023. Metzger briefly grabbed control early on the back nine and held a two-shot advantage heading to the 16th hole.
But Rodriguez responded when it mattered most.
He played his final nine holes in 3-under par, making a late charge before rolling in a birdie on the 18th to close out the victory.
Metzger, a former San Marcos High School standout, finished runner-up at 9-under 201 after rounds of 64-68-69.
Defending champion Hudson Vedder and Santa Barbara local Chris Gregoire shared third at 8-under 202. Gregoire carded rounds of 65-70-67, while Vedder posted 67-67-68.
For Rodriguez, the win marks a breakthrough moment in a tournament that regularly draws many of the region’s top amateurs and college players.