Patrick Kahanek catches fire at the Sizzler Amateur
Patrick Kahanek (Sizzler Amateur Photo)
In the scorching Arizona heat at Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale, Seton Hall Senior Patrick Kahanek of San Antonio, Tex., caught fire at The Sizzler Amateur.
After roasting the field with two rounds of 5-under 65 on Monday to take the lead at 10-under, Kahanek shot a 1-under-par 69 in Tuesday's final round to finish at 11-under for the tournament and three strokes clear of the field to win the 2024 Sizzler Amateur.
Ethan Korock of Jonestown, Tex., a DII player for Cameron University, finished with rounds of 68-68-66 in solo second at 8-under. Korock, who just won the Palo Verde Amateur last month, finished runner-up in the 2023 Sizzler Amateur after losing to eventual champion Timothy Jung on the first playoff hole.
Jeffrey Kwak of La Mirada, Calif., finished solo 3rd at 7-under. Kwak was the only other player, in addition to Kahanek and Korock, to finish with three rounds under par. Ethan Miller of Round Rock, Tex., finished at 6-under, solo 4th, including a tournament-low 6-under 64 in the final round.
Charlie Palmer of Paradise Valley, Ariz., and Trevor Mierl of Austin, Tex finished in a tie for 5th at 5-under-par.
After his victory, Kahanek told The Sizzler, "I started off well, but the putts weren't falling, and in the second round, putts started to fall. It was easy to see the line out here, and it was a great start to the tournament. Today was a hard-fought battle."
Outside of Ethan Miller's final round 64, Kahanek's pair of 65s on Monday were the low round(s) of the tournament. Kahanek's 13 birdies and 2 eagles were good for 2nd and 1st in the field.
"Ball-striking was fantastic," Kahanek added. "Putting was good. The most important thing was keeping emotions in check and having a good attitude. Things can go sideways if you hit a bad shot, and it is important to keep a great attitude."
ABOUT THE
The Sizzler
First played in 2017. Open to male amateur
golfers who with a handicap of 3.0 or less, with
several categories of exemptions based on
performance in college and amateur events. Format
is 54-holes of stroke play with no cut
The Sizzler is a partner tournament to the
Southwestern Amateur.
Players are encouraged to play in both events.
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