Motivated by last year’s runner-up finish to BYU, No. 9 Arizona weathered strong winds all week on the Ocean Course at Hōkūala to emerge victorious in the 2024 John A. Burns Intercollegiate. California, New Mexico, Grand Canyon and Long Beach State rounded out the top five.
The Arizona Wildcats celebrate their 4th Burns Intercollegiate team win at the Ocean Course at Hōkūala.
“Our team’s ability to maintain their composure down the stretch on this challenging layout was commendable,” said Arizona Men’s Golf Coach, Jim Anderson, who has guided the program since 2012. “Beginning with Yannick and continuing with Zach, different players shined each day, which culminated in a rewarding victory. The Burns remains one of our favorite events year-in and year-out."
Heading into the final round, the Wildcats grew their two-shot lead to finish at 20-under par (844) and claim their fourth Burns’ team title (1992, 2003, ‘04, ‘24). Following Arizona’s second-place finish in their home event in Tucson, Anderson’s team rose to the occasion on Kaua‘i. Three Wildcats placed in the top 9, led by Yannick Malik (2nd place), who tied the Burns’ single-round scoring record on Thursday at 8-under (64), and Zach Pollo (T3), the 2023 California Amateur and 2022-23 Pac-12 All-Freshman selection.
New Mexico’s Bastien Amat celebrates his 2024 John A. Burns Intercollegiate individual title.
Bastien Amat, a junior from New Mexico, carded a brilliant final-round 8-under (64) to win the 2024 Burns’ individual title by five shots at 13-under (203). Amat and Cal’s Kaungyu Chen (T3) both tied Malik’s aforementioned scoring record on Saturday.
“I began 5-under on my first four holes with three birdies and an eagle, which set the tone for a special day,” remarked Amat. “Though I mis-clubbed on 15 from the strong winds and made bogey, I still shot 3-under on the back, which provided a helpful buffer coming down the stretch.”
Amat made the cut in the PGA TOUR’s 2023 Barracuda Championship after receiving a sponsor’s exemption from his Wolf Pack Classic collegiate win. Born and raised in France, the 2023 U.S. Open qualifier and All-Mountain West selection finished ahead of Malik (T2), Arizona’s Zach Pollo (T2) and Georgia Southern’s Hayden Carner (T3).