Filipino-American Jaden Dumdumaya became the youngest winner of the 98th California State Fair amateur championship, holding off Fresno State standout Michael Cliff by one shot at Haggins Oaks golf complex in Sacramento, California Monday.
The 16-year-old son of Filipino entrepreneurs birdied the 18th hole from six feet for the second straight time to cap a four-under-par 68 and 13-under 213 total.
Dumdumaya, who started the day one shot behind Blake Brothers, clearly made his intentions known, going 4-under in the first four holes. He birdied 1 and 3 and eagled 4.
“I was pretty pumped up after the first two birdies,” he said.
On the par-5 fourth, Dumdumaya went for the green that required 235 yards to clear the water. He reached his target and made the eagle putt.
A bogey on 6 stalled his momentum but birdied his second par-5 hole on 11. He dropped back to 3-under following a bogey on 13 but nicely recovered on the final hole, another par-5.
Dumdumaya nearly did not make it to the tournament after testing positive for Covid-19 just over a week ago.
“I was still pretty weak in the first two rounds,” Dumdumaya said.
“I used a cold towel during the final round when the temperature reached 110 degrees.”
Cliff mounted a big comeback in the final round with eight birdies to grab second place on 12-under.
Three players — Joey Zambri, Matthew Sutherland and Lucas Carper — tied for third on 10-under following a 66, 67 and 70, respectively.
Brothers, the overnight leader, bombed out with a 76 and slipped to joint 11th on 6-under.
Dumdumaya, a De la Salle student, has been on a tear in the junior circuit, highlighted by his victory in the Drive, Chip and Putt competition held before the Masters this year in Augusta, Georgia.
