WINNETKA, Illinois – The final seven spots in the 123rd Western Amateur field were decided Sunday after an 18-hole qualifier at Winnetka Golf Club.
Connor McNeely (Cincinnati), of Noblesville, Indiana, fired a 7-under 63 to lead the 82-player field, qualifying for golf’s third-oldest amateur championship, which is scheduled for July 28-Aug. 2 at Skokie Country Club in Glencoe, Illinois.
Brasen Briones (Pacific), of Tucson, Arizona, posted a 5-under 30 on the front nine en route to a 4-under 66, finishing second.
Nate Stevens (Notre Dame), of Northfield, Minnesota, and Jonathan Oakes (Kenyon), of Tarrytown, New York, tied for third after each carded a 3-under 67. Stevens highlighted his round with an eagle on the 526-yard, par-5 10th.
Andrew Stineman of Chicago, Illinois, took solo fifth with a 2-under 68.
Three players finished at 1-under 69, prompting a 3-for-2 playoff to determine the final two qualifying spots.
Connor Brown (Alabama), of Pinehurst, North Carolina, and Michael Springer, of La Grange, Illinois, advanced through the playoff to complete the seven-player group moving on to the Western Amateur.
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First held at Glen View Club in 1899, the Western Amateur is the third-oldest amateur golf championship in the world – trailing only the British Amateur (1885) and the U.S. Amateur (1895). It consistently draws elite amateur talent from around the globe, with past champions including legends like Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.
Known as one of the toughest tests in amateur golf, the 156-player field will battle through 72 holes of stroke play over three days to determine the Sweet 16 for match play on Friday and Saturday.
Attendance and parking at the Western Amateur are free. Visit thewesternamateur.com for more information.