Walicki Overcomes the Defending Champion to Win the Arizona Match Play

MARICOPA, Ariz. – Catapulted by capturing the No. 1 seed in the Stroke Play Qualifying Round, Adam Walicki navigated four days of 100+ degree temperatures and outlasted some of AZ GOLF’s best players to capture the 2024 Arizona Match Play title at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club.

Walicki’s journey to the championship match was anything but easy. After earning a first-round bye with his stroke play performance, he advanced through the first two rounds of match play by defeating No. 16 Travis Zappia (3 & 2) and No. 8 Chad Lyons (1 up). 

In the semifinals, Walicki's road to the championship grew even more challenging as he faced U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Champion Sam Engel. Despite Engel’s USGA match play experience, Walicki dominated and delivered a commanding 5 & 4 victory.

The championship match saw him face off against defending Arizona Match Play champion, Paul Brown. Despite trailing for much of the final match, Walicki turned the tide on the 14th hole, when Walicki’s approach sailed over the green onto a desert hill. From the hill, Walicki landed a flop shot onto the green, sank a putt to save par and tie the match. Walicki went on to win the match on the 18th hole when Brown settled for a bogey.

"It was (a turning point). I appreciate you calling it great, I just call it lucky. It was one of those shots where you just close your eyes and tell yourself how to hit it," the two-time AZ GOLF Player of the Year said. "Just don't ask me to hit it again because I won't be able to do it."

Adam Walicki hits flop shot out of the desert on No. 14 that turned the tide of the championship match. (Photo by Brand0n Genson).

In the Senior Division, Scott Smith faced Brad Wayment in the championship match and won 1 up. In the Legends Division, John Schaller found himself three holes behind both Lee Decof in the semifinals and Tom Sweigart in the championship match. Schaller took the lead in the Championship Match when Sweigart ran into trouble in the desert down the stretch. Schaller’s marks Schaller’s second Legends Division title of the year, following his win at the Arizona Senior Amateur Championship last month.

Scott Smith (left) & John Schaller (right) pose with their Arizona Match Play trophies. (Photo by Brandon Genson)