JGAA alum Michael Feagles of Scottsdale captured the 81st Arizona Open Championship, firing 14-under par (66-65-65) at Papago Golf Course to win the 54-hole competition by one stroke over Mesa’s hard-charging Mark Baldwin. He moved up five places to second after a final-round 63. Feagles earned his home state’s championship trophy and a $24,000 check of the $132,025 purse.
“To start the day, I looked at the board, and I saw Nicolo [Galletti]; I saw Marty [Jertson]; I was paired with [Jesse] Mueller,” said Feagles. “There were just a lot of great players right there. So, I had a thought in my head that if I could just shoot six today; I’d be hard to catch. I was teeing it up today not trying to hold onto my one-shot lead; I was trying to win the tournament.”
The low amateur at the 2019 Arizona Open, Feagles passed the torch to this year’s low amateur and JGAA member 15-year-old Asher Nelson, who finished T4 overall, -10, to earn title.
The Arizona Open Championship is a state open golf tournament for both professional and amateur golfers nationwide. The 156-player championship field is made up of place-winners from the Arizona Open Championship qualifying events and those players exempt from qualifying.
Administered by the Southwest PGA, the tradition of the Arizona Open Championship dates back to the inaugural event held in 1937. This historical championship has been held annually since 1953 and boasts an impressive list of past champions including Johnny Bulla, Dale Douglas and Curt Byrum.
