After three rounds at Torrey Pines Golf Course, Aidan Lee of Pasadena, Calif., leads the 126th SCGA Amateur Championship at 8-under 208. The junior from Saint Mary’s College carded rounds of 67-70-71 to edge ahead of Samuel Foust and Matthew Diehl, who sit one shot back at 7-under heading into Thursday's final round on the South Course.

Lee’s Path to the Top

Lee, a 5-foot-11 business administration major and St. Francis High alum, has been a consistent force in collegiate golf. A two-time Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar, he owns a 71.5 scoring average this season with five top-10 finishes, including a breakthrough win at the Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational where he went 13-under-par. His ability to go low and stay patient under pressure has kept him atop a competitive SCGA Amateur leaderboard through three days at Torrey Pines.

Chasing Pack Close Behind

San Diego’s Samuel Foust fired a 68 on Wednesday to move to 7-under, tied with Matthew Diehl of Redlands, who has been steady all week despite a third-round 75. Both sit just one shot back and will join Lee in the final group Thursday.

At 6-under, Jaden Huggins (Murrieta) and Matthew Robles (Downey) are also within striking distance. With only two shots separating the top five players, the final round promises drama on the famed Torrey South layout.

What’s at Stake

The SCGA Amateur title is one of the most prestigious in West Coast golf, with past champions including Tiger Woods, Sahith Theegala, and Jaden Soong. A win Thursday would add Lee’s name to that historic list and further establish his status as one of Southern California’s rising stars in the amateur ranks.