Kristoffer Kuvaas uses a flurry of birdies late to secure Southwestern Amateur
Kristoffer Kuvaas (Southwestern Amateur Photo)
Kristoffer Kuvaas saved his best for last, netting an incredible eight birdies in his last 11 holes to win the 2024 Southwestern Men's Amateur at Desert Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., in a playoff.
Kuvaas, who started the day five shots back of the lead, shot a 9-under 63 in the final round to come from out of the top ten to start the day and force a playoff at 12-under with Johnny Walker. On the second playoff hole, Kuvaas secured the win.
Walker finished 12-under and also finished strong, birding five of his last ten holes to get to 12-under.
Kuvaas, from Houston, Tex, represents Norway and plays for Pepperdine University. He is currently ranked No. 683 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com World Rankings.
“I had a nice round today, so it feels good to get some validation,” Kuvaas told the Southwestern Amateur. “My time at Pepperdine has been huge. I’ve learned so much playing my first year of college golf.”
Kuvaas finished T6 at the 2024 The Goodwin and T25 at the Western Intercollegiate.
Walker, from Chandler, Arizona, who is going into his last year at the University of Arizona, settled for solo second place. Jacob Goode from San Francisco, Calif., and Hunter Swanson from Denver, Colo., finished one stroke back of the playoff and T3 at 11-under.
Second-round co-leader Brandon Robison from Centerville, Ut., and Carlos Astiazaran from Tucson, Ariz., also finished double-digits under par and two shots back at 10-under and T5. Ethan Wilson, Grayson Wood, Daniel Heo, Cole Ekert, and Rex Hargrove finished T7 at 9-under.
32 players finished under par for the championship.
ABOUT THE
Southwestern Amateur
72-hole stroke play championship for national-level
amateurs with a handicap index of
1.4 or better. After 36 holes, the field will be
cut to the low 36 and ties. The
SWGA Selection Committee will select players
to
compete based upon
exemptions, playing resume and rankings.
The SWGA reserves the right to invite
amateurs of national and international
reputation, as well as other amateurs "of
note", to enter into the tournament.
Applicants are urged to submit their entries
with golf resumes of accomplishment in
major tournaments and other competitive
record
information.
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