Sean O’Donnell (-17) couldn’t have scripted a better finalé. In his final AZ GOLF event for the foreseeable future before moving to North Carolina, he delivered a vintage performance at the AGA Championship, en route to his first major championship win in nearly four years. After coming close in several majors since then, today’s win felt “validating” for O’Donnell.
Starting the final round three shots behind Matthew McDougall, O’Donnell wasted no time making up ground. On the first and second holes, respectively, he hit his approach and a greenside bunker shot inside five feet and tapped in for birdie.
“I tied it up immediately right there, so it was game-on from there,” O’Donnell said.
Sean O'Donnell hits a greenside bunker shot on No. 2 at Aguila Golf Course. (Photo by Brandon Genson)
The turning point was on the fifth hole. Following a bad tee shot, O’Donnell found himself in a bunker 50 yards short and right of the green. Then he pulled off what he called “probably the best bunker shot I’ve ever hit,” – holing out for eagle and taking the lead.
After O’Donnell took the lead on the fifth hole, McDougall—who set the pace on day one with a red-hot putter and an opening-round 64—was unable to catch up. He pulled within one stroke on No. 15 after O’Donnell found trouble in the desert and settled for bogey, but O’Donnell slammed the door shut with birdies on No. 16 and 18.
Sean O'Donnell tees off the second hole at Aguila Golf Course during the final round of the AGA Championship. (Photo by Brandon Genson)
Although O’Donnell and McDougall were neck-and-neck for all three rounds, two other highlights from the championship came in Round 2. Kurt Watkins fired 10-under, 62, tying the Aguila Golf Course course record, and Russell May made a hole-in-one with a driver on the 343-yard, 17th hole.
The top 20 finishers also earned exemptions into the 101st Arizona Amateur Championship.