Jackson Rivera Wins Rancho Santa Margarita Amateur in Playoff
Jackson Rivera tees off on second hole of sudden death against Jack Smyth
The Rancho Santa Margarita Amateur Championship kicks off the unofficial tournament season in Southern California. It also happens to be one of the first SCGA Points of the year. This helps to draw top Southern California Players to Tijeras Creek Golf Club for a challenging 36 hole event.
Rain, wind, and a course playing over 7,000 yards kept scores high, with only 3 players shooting under par in round one. USC golf commit and AJGA Top-ranked junior Jackson Rivera managed a first-round 73 in tough conditions. Sitting four shots behind first-round leader Will Stribling, Rivera shot a 2 under 70 in the final round to put himself in a playoff with Cal State Fullerton commit and Orange County local Jack Smyth.
Smyth failed to make par on the par-four 18th hole, three-putting from 40 feet. Rivera came close to winning the RSM back in 2018 when finished in 3rd place. In a playoff that lasted three holes, on the back nine of Tijeras Creek Golf Club, Jackson Rivera closed out the tournament with a birdie on hole number 12 giving him his first big amateur win in Southern California Golf.
Connor O'Brien finished in solo third (71-73--144), Jayden Cantafio shot (75-70--145) putting him in fourth place, and the low round of the tournament was Tyler See shooting (79-67--146) to grab a T-5 alongside past Southern California Player of the Year Dan Sullivan.
ABOUT THE
Rancho Santa Margrarita Amateur
Gross-only tournament played the last weekend in February that has attracted the best in Southern California for many years. Max Homa, Cameron Tringale, Beau Hossler, and Stewart Hagestad have all competed. Play in threesomes to ensure a nice pace of play, and the golf course is immaculate. Entry fee includes 36 holes of golf with a cart, practice balls before each round, and typically includes a tee gift. See the website and entry form for more information.
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