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JGAA Alum & Former Sun Devil Mason Andersen Wins The Korn Ferry’s 117th Visa Argentina Open presented by Macro, Earns Exemption For The Open Championship

By March 4, 2024No Comments

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – MARCH 03: Mason Andersen of the United States celebrates with the winner’s trophy and flag after winning on the 18th hole during the final round of the 117 Visa Argentina Open presented by Macro at Olivos Golf Club on March 03, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Mason Andersen joins the winner’s circle for the first time on the Korn Ferry Tour. Mason Andersen defeated two-time winner Kris Ventura on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff at the 117th Visa Argentina Open presented by Macro. The former ASU Sun Devil put on a clinic in the final round after firing off a seven-under-par 63. Through the Visa Argentina Open’s partnership with The R&A, Andersen’s victory also earned him an exemption for the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon.

“We are so immensely proud to see Mason Andersen shine bright at one of the biggest stages in golf,” said JGAA Executive Director Scott McNevin. “Seeing him thrive at the professional level brings all of us at the JGAA sheer joy and satisfaction seeing all his hard work over the years pay off. We look forward to watching him compete at The Open Championship at Royal Troon this Summer.”

Andersen’s incredible performance on the front nine saw him clinch three consecutive birdies, followed by an impressive streak of five more on holes 11 through 15. He then sealed the deal with another birdie on the par-5 18th, securing the day’s lowest round by three strokes. Hailing from Mesa, Andersen concluded a stellar five-season college career from 2017 to 2022, boasting two victories and earning an All-America Third Team selection in 2022 during his time in Tempe.

In the pinnacle of his collegiate journey in 2022, Andersen left a lasting impression with three match play triumphs at the NCAA Championship. Notably, he defeated formidable opponents, including defeating Oklahoma’s Patrick Welch 1-up in the quarterfinals and prevailing over Pepperdine’s Dylan Menante in 19 holes in the semifinals before clinching a commanding 3 & 2 victory against Cole Hammer of Texas in the championship. His leadership as ASU Team Captain was pivotal in their thrilling playoff run at Grayhawk Golf Club, culminating in the Sun Devil Men’s Golf Team finishing as runners-up at the NCAA Division I National Championship.

He posted five top-10 finishes in the spring, including a tie for third at the 115-player Amer Ari Invitational in February, and led ASU at NCAA Stockton Regional with an 10-under 206 that tied for second. In his first attempt at Q-School, Andersen was one of eight players who advanced through every stage – including Pre-Qualifying – of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament (which has since become PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry).

Andersen played all 26 events of the 2023 season, and back-to-back finishes of T2 and T18 in the 24th and 25th events gave him an outside chance at a PGA TOUR card. However, he wound up just shy of obtaining a PGA TOUR card after a Top-10 finish at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. This win now moves him to 1st place in the Korn Ferry Tour points list rankings with 651 points.

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