22 Rounds In The Red After Day 1 of Arizona Match Play

Camelback Golf Club — Camelback Golf Club met competitors this morning with pristine course conditions, 70% humidity, and 22 rounds in the red for the Sunday qualifying round of the 47th Arizona Match Play Championship.

With the results from Sunday, players will be seeded for the upcoming three match play rounds  for the Legends, Seniors, and Open Divisions. 

Steve Geesling took the first spot in the Legends match play seeding, with a 4-under-par 68 to start his week off. 

Scott Smith and Larry Payne also carded 68s themselves in the Senior Division, but Smith grabbed the first seed with an even-par back nine. 

RESULTS | PHOTOS

Leading the Open Division into match play is a familiar name recently in AZ GOLF, Austin Fisher. 

Fisher took home his first Kachina Trophy, the prize for winning an AZ GOLF major, in late March after winning the AGA Championship. He is the defending Arizona Match Play champion as well, after a victory as the #4 seed, defeating the #1 and #2 en route to his win.

"I won last year at Southern Dunes. Obviously a 1 seed is good, you're never going to take that and be mad about it. But match play anyone can win, so you still have to show up and play, thats the biggest thing," Fisher said. "So just need to play three more days of good golf, and we'll be good."

Fisher opened this week of championship golf with a 7-under-par 65.

"Not a typical me round, I hit a lot of fairways. That's new to me. Kept the ball in play, and I didn't really hit it close all day, just made a lot of putts," Fisher said. "That was the biggest thing, I was making 20 and 30-footers. I'm hoping to continue that this week." 

Round 1 of match play commences Monday morning, starting with Senior Division, Legends Division, then Open Division.

About AZ GOLF
Founded in 1923, AZ GOLF is a nonprofit dedicated to serving and advancing the game of golf in Arizona. We engage our community through championships and tournaments, player development, education, and outreach while providing official USGA Handicap Indexes to golfers statewide. With more than 550 member clubs and golfers of all ages and abilities, we are committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive golf community and ensuring the game’s long-term growth and sustainability.