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Ethan Farnam fires 64 to lead Silicon Valley Amateur
Ethan Farnam almost tied the course-record at Coyote Creek's Valley Course
Ethan Farnam almost tied the course-record at Coyote Creek's Valley Course

A recipe of cool windy weather was just right for Ethan Farnam to take the first round lead at the AmateurGolf.com Silicon Valley Amateur.

Farnam -- a Chicago resident that attends St. Mary's University -- is just returning from a winter break back home where he played three times with high temperatures in the 40s.

"Between those rounds, and some brisk walks with my girlfriend, today seemed warm," joked Farnam.


Before his winter break, Farnam finished runner-up for the second-straight year at the AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic. This year the second round was cancelled due to rain, so Farnam never got the chance to give the Sunday chase to win his first AmateurGolf.com event.

Today, he birdied half the holes and recorded just a single bogey on his way to a 64 that missed the competitive course record of 63 (set by Max Homa and Michael Weaver while playing this same event some years back) by one.

But this tournament is anything but over. Also finishing towards the end of the draw today was Farnam's St. Mary's teammate Blake Hathcoat. Hathcoat posted a bogey-free 65. And get this -- Hathcoat had three 2s on the back nine -- making birdie on each of the side's three par 3s.

Brendan Hy, a freshman at Cal, also flirted with a low number today -- at one point he was 7-under before recording a couple of bogeys coming home and posting 67. He will round out the final threesome.

All tolled, there were 21 players under par today. Any of them is capable of throwing up a low number at the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course tomorrow. It should make for an interesting round of golf. Spectators are welcome.

Fun Fact:

There are three past Silicon Valley Amateur players on the PGA Tour this year, and two on the Korn Ferry Tour. PGA Tour players Max Homa, Collin Morikawa (Cal Berkeley) and Maverick McNealy (Stanford) played this tournament while in college. The same goes for Korn-Ferry Tour players Brandon Hagy and Michael Kim. Homa won here in 2011; Morikawa did so in 2016.

MID-AM DIVISION

Kyle Rector of San Diego shot a bogey-free 68 to lead the Mid-Am division by a single shot over former Stanford golfer Kyle Gentry of Menlo Park (69) Gentry, starting off on the back nine was going along ok though 7 holes at 1-over. Then he caught fire, with 5-straight birdies starting at the 17th hole and ending at No. 3. Both golfers look good to finish high in the overall standings, and either could win with a low round on Sunday.

SENIORS

Daniel O'Connor of San Francisco and Glen Andrade of Napa are tied at the top after solid rounds of 73 on the Valley Course. James Ponsford is three shots back at 76.

NET FLIGHT

10-handicapper Stotz Thoda posted a very solid round of 79 today; his net 69 leads the net flight going into Sunday's final round.

Results: AGC Silicon Valley Amateur
1CABlake HathcoatFresno, CA15065-70=135
2ILEthan FarnamCrystal Lake, IL10064-73=137
T3CAEthan AshbrookSanta Maria, CA5069-70=139
T3CAGrant FairbairnWalnut Creek, CA5069-70=139
T3CAEvan PetersonClovis, CA5069-70=139

View full results for AGC Silicon Valley Amateur

ABOUT THE AGC Silicon Valley Amateur

>> 2024 TOUR PORTAL

The Silicon Valley Amateur is the first AmateurGolf.com tournament to have, on its past winner's list, a MAJOR champion. That would be Collin Morikawa, who won the 2016 title. Just over four years later, he won the PGA Championship just up the road at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. Multiple PGA Tour star and Morikawa's fellow 2023 USA Ryder Cup team member Max Homa also won the Silicon Valley Amateur in 2011.

For 2024, the tournament is moving to a new venue -- Stanford University Golf Course. Tournament players will relish competing at a course normally reserved for university students and faculty. Please note that we will play on Monday and Tuesday, and expect this event will fill very quickly.

Related: The road to PGA stardom for Homa and Morikawa went through the Silicon Valley Amateur

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.

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.

View Complete Tournament Information

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