Edan Cui, Nathaniel Frink leads AGC Christmas Classic at the halfway point

07 Dec 2024
by AmateurGolf.com Staff
see also: View results for AGC Christmas Classic, Del Monte Golf Course, Edan Cui Rankings
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Edan Cui (Bailey Arredondo Photo)

Story by Bailey Arredondo of AmateurGolf.com

17-year-old Edan Cui of Atherton, Calif., and Nathaniel Frink of La Crescenta, Calif., shot opening rounds of 6-under 66 to sit at the top of the leaderboard at the Christmas Classic at Del Monte Golf Club. Cui, a Stanford commit, saw a dream start and birdied five of his first six holes en route to a 31 on the back nine.

Cui finished with a clean scorecard, while Frink rattled off six birdies of his own and one bogey. Playing out of La Crescenta and working at Bayonet & Blackhorse, Frink birdied holes No. 11, 13, 16, 17.

“Just keep doing what I’m doing and give all glory to god,” said Frink, following his round. “Keep it simple and just play golf.”

He would then bogey No. 7 and bounce back with a birdie, birdie finish on to tie the lead.

Only eight players were under par after Saturday’s round. Cui has been on a hot streak the last couple of weeks, finishing third in the AJGA Rolex Tournament of Champions on November 23rd.

William Chang of Danville, Calif., Sam Higaki of San Mateo, Calif., and Kayden Wang of San Diego, Calif., are T3 at 3-under to round out the top five.

In the Senior Division, Steve Nichols of East Lansing, Mich., leads by one shot at 2-under over Vince Price of Portland, Ore., who is in solo second place at 1-under. Jordan Hashimoto of Danville, Calif., is the low mid-amateur at 1-under.

Nicole Iniakov of Prunedale, Calif., is the low women's scorer at 2-over and holds a three-shot lead in the division.

Be sure to stay with AmateurGolf.com for tomorrow’s final-round coverage.

View results for AGC Christmas Classic

ABOUT THE AGC Christmas Classic

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The Christmas Classic was founded by 2-time California State Amateur Champion Casey Boyns over 20 years ago and it always attracts a great field. This is our most popular event, and year in and year out it sells out. Field limited to 104 players; Championship, Senior, and Net divisions.

Your entry fee includes two rounds of golf (cart at players expense), $4500 in Callaway Golf certificate prizes, $20 lunch certificate, and a great weekend at one of the Monterey Peninsula's wonderful classic courses, "Old" Del Monte.

DIVISIONS

CHAMPIONSHIP
For players aged 16 and over who have a USGA or equivalent index of less than 5.5

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
For players age 50 and over (as of the tournament date) with a handicap index of less than 8.0. Note: Must be 55 and over for NCGA Senior Points.

NET
For players 16 and over with handicap between 5.5 and 18.0.

MID-AM (subdivision of Championship)
For players age 25-49. Compete alongside the younger players in the Championship Division, (same tees, same prize opportunities) and if there are at least six Mid-Ams, a separate prize and trophy will be awarded.

SUPER SENIORS (subdivision of Senior)
For players age 65+. Compete alongside the younger senior players in the Senior Division, (same tees, same prize opportunities) and if there are at least six players 65 or over, a separate prize and trophy will be awarded for low super senior.

WOMEN (subdivision of Championship)
Will play in the Championship Division but from a shorter tee; if there are at least six women in the field, a separate prize and trophy will be awarded. Net players will play in the Net Division but from a shorter tee.