PINEHURST, N.C. – Vanderbilt men’s golf junior Carlos Astiazaran captured medalist honors in one of amateur golf’s most prestigious and historic events on Saturday, as the incoming transfer won the 125th North & South Amateur at Pinehurst No. 2.
Astiazaran, who is joining the Commodores in 2025-26 after two seasons at Pacific, captured the North & South Amateur title by posting a 19-hole victory over Tyler Watts in the championship match. Astiazaran sank a 12-foot birdie putt to claim the iconic Putter Boy trophy.
The Tucson, Arizona, native finished stroke play at 1-over 142 and survived a nine-person playoff to claim one of the final two spots in match play. Astiazaran, seeded No. 31 in the 32-person tournament, began his run to the championship by posting a 2 & 1 victory over No. 2 Jessy Huebner. The junior claimed a 4 & 2 win over No. 15 William Sides in the Round of 16. Astiazaran needed 21 holes to win his quarterfinals match over No. 23 Luke Colton, then knocked off No. 14 Reed Lotter, 4 & 3, in the semifinals to face Watts, ranked No. 4, in the championship match.
It is Astiazaran’s second victory at an amateur event this summer, as he also won the 97th Mexican National Amateur Championship back on June 11.
The junior was one of five Commodores who competed at the 125th North & South Amateur, joined by senior John Broderick, junior Chase Nevins and freshmen Will Hartman and Michael Riebe. Hartman and Riebe both moved to match play, where Hartman played his way to the quarterfinals. Nevins was involved in the nine-golfer playoff for the final two spots in match play, though he did not advance.
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