Silicon Valley Amateur: Brandon Knight takes the early lead after a 4-under 66

08 Jan 2024
by Justin Golba of AmateurGolf.com
see also: View results for AGC Silicon Valley Amateur, Stanford University Golf Course, Brandon Knight Rankings
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Stanford University Golf Course with the iconic Hoover Tower

After an impressive opening round 4-under 66, Brandon Knight of Pleasanton, Calif., leads the 2024 AmateurGolf.com Silicon Valley Amateur at the Stanford University Golf Course in Palo Alto, Calif.

Knight recorded five birdies and one bogey, with a chip in on No. 2, his eleventh hole of the day since he started on the back nine. He also recorded birdies on Holes No. 1, 5, 15, and 18. He was familiar with the course, having played it "around ten times" throughout junior golf.

"I just hit it really consistently all day, and I made a couple of putts," Knight said. "My chipping was really good and dialed in."

Barclay Brown, a graduate student at Stanford and 2023 Walker Cupper for Great Britain and Ireland, shot a 3-under 67 to sit in solo second place.

"I made a couple of putts and missed a couple as well," Brown said. "I scrambled decently. I didn't do anything that well but kind of plotted my way around and put together a decent score."

Brown returned to the United States from England a few days ago to prepare for the spring semester at Stanford.

Keshav Mungali of Belmont, Calif., Benjamin Wang of San Ramon, Calif., and Ben Friedman of Mill Valley, Calif. are all T3 at 2-under.

Dan Young of Redwood City, Calif., is leading the Senior Championship Division at 1-over.

View 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.