Fisher Catches His Kachina At AGA Championship

A long sought-after Kachina trophy found its new home with Austin Fisher, following a successful up-and-down for par on the 18th of Aguila Golf Course during the 9th AGA Championship.

"I'm excited, I've been looking at these since last year. I think these are really cool, unique trophies so I'm excited to finally take one home for myself," Fisher said. 

Fisher carded a 3-under-par 69 in his final round, pushing him to the finish line after back-to-back 66's to open the tournament. While he had a hold of the co-lead or lead throughout the week, the race tightened on the back nine of the final day, with just a couple strokes separating Fisher (-15), Cory Bacon (-13) and Cody Massa (-12).

RESULTS

Fisher was successful in holding back Bacon and Massa with an even-par back nine. 17 birdies and an eagle were scratched on his scorecards, serving as a guiding hand toward his first AZ GOLF major championship victory. 

“I think earlier it was just keep the ball in play, hit good shots, and then throughout the week, kept the driver in play, didnt put myself in any harm," Fisher said. "I rocked a new putter this week, it was my second round ever starting on Thursday with it and it was just going in the hole."

The forecast for the first two rounds was typical Arizona, with excessive heat beating down on the players. High wind gusts started early Saturday morning, forcing golfers to get creative with shot selection and keep ball flights low.

"Definitely made things interesting. First two days it was no wind and I could fire right at pins," Fisher said. "I knew with this wind, scores weren't going to be crazy low. I wanted to play safe, but not too safe, and let the field come to me."

This was the first of five AZ GOLF major championships to be played in 2026. Still to come are the Arizona Mid-Amateur; Amateur; Senior Amateur and Stroke Play Championships. 

Notable

• Following the second round on Friday, the field of 84 was cut to 42 golfers. The cut line was +2.
• Aguila GC saw wind gusts up to 25 mph Saturday morning to start the final round.
• The hardest hole of the tournament was No. 16, a 215 yard par 3 which yielded 79 bogeys-or-worse and just 15 birdies this week.
• On the flip side, No. 5, a 519 yard par 5 was child’s play for the field which managed 18 eagles, 111 birdies and 58 pars. Only 11 scorecards were signed with a bogey on No. 5.
• Sean O’Donnell was the 8th AGA Champion (2025), having also won in 2020.
• Two players in the field are committed to play golf at the University of Arizona — Hogan O'Malley and Joseph Nelson.
• Four 16-year-old golfers competed in the tournament.
• Two father-son duos were playing this weekend: Luke and Ryan Duval; Chase and Grant Cesarek.
• The AGA Championship was formerly named the Public Links Championship, and had been hosted by Randolph North GC each year.