Ashton McCulloch Wins Canadian Amateur
8/10/2023 5:50:00 PM | Men's Golf
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State men's golfer Ashton McCulloch had been through this before.
In the third round of the 118th Canadian Amateur on Wednesday, the Spartans' rising junior used the back nine at The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ontario, Canada to firmly stand atop the leaderboard heading into the final round.
In Thursday's fourth and final round, McCulloch found himself tied for the lead as the final group made the turn onto the back. It was there, starting on the 11th hole, that McCulloch birdied three of the next four holes to take a five-shot lead with four to play.
McCulloch made par on the final four holes and won the Canadian Amateur Thursday afternoon, finishing with a four-day total of 7-under par 277 (69-68-70-70). The Canadian Amateur Championship is the third-oldest amateur golf event in the world.
"What's going through my mind is what has gotten me to this point," McCulloch said following his win. "There are so many people, my parents, my friends, my girlfriend and her parents, that came out and supported me this week. I have so many people I'm thankful for. It's not just me winning this, it's my whole team behind me."
McCulloch, who teamed with two other golfers near his hometown in Ontario to win the Inter-Provincial Team Championship last week, was the only player in the field to shoot under par in all four rounds.
"It was a mental grind out there, for sure," he said. "That's why you don't quit on rounds, you keep on fighting. I was 2-over early in both rounds and I somehow found a way to manage myself and the emotions and keep on fighting and find some birdies late."
McCulloch, who will be a junior at Michigan State in 2023-24, was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2022 and has helped lead the Spartans to the NCAA Regionals in each of the last two seasons.
"I'm so happy for Austin and his family," Michigan State Head Coach Casey Lubahn said. "This is such a tremendous accomplishment and his Michigan State family and all of our Spartan alums are thrilled for him. He played great this week against a really challenging field and showed that he is one of the best amateur golfers around."
The win in the Canadian Amateur qualifies McCulloch for the 123rd U.S. Amateur, which will be held from Monday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 20 at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. McCulloch will be one of two Spartans playing in the U.S. Amateur, joined by incoming freshman Lorenzo Pinili.
"It's going to be really cool to get to share that with August," McCulloch said. "For us, following in the footsteps of James (Piot) and seeing what he did to make it through and win a couple of years ago, but of us are really excited for the opportunity to represent Michigan State and make all of Spartan Nation proud."
The win in the Canadian Amateur by McCulloch marks the second time in the last three years a Spartan has claimed their country's honor as top amateur golfer.
"As Ashton's coach at Michigan State and someone who played here too, it's a pretty proud moment for our program. We've made great strides over the last decade to make our program not only one of the best in the Big Ten Conference but in the country. For us, to be able to say that our program had the winners of the U.S. Amateur in 2021 (James Piot) and now the Canadian Amateur is a great moment."
In addition to qualifying to play in the 123rd U.S. Amateur, McCulloch also receives an entry into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ontario.
"It means a lot to represent the amateur team," McCulloch said. "Getting the chance to play in the international open is just amazing."
In the third round of the 118th Canadian Amateur on Wednesday, the Spartans' rising junior used the back nine at The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ontario, Canada to firmly stand atop the leaderboard heading into the final round.
In Thursday's fourth and final round, McCulloch found himself tied for the lead as the final group made the turn onto the back. It was there, starting on the 11th hole, that McCulloch birdied three of the next four holes to take a five-shot lead with four to play.
McCulloch made par on the final four holes and won the Canadian Amateur Thursday afternoon, finishing with a four-day total of 7-under par 277 (69-68-70-70). The Canadian Amateur Championship is the third-oldest amateur golf event in the world.
"What's going through my mind is what has gotten me to this point," McCulloch said following his win. "There are so many people, my parents, my friends, my girlfriend and her parents, that came out and supported me this week. I have so many people I'm thankful for. It's not just me winning this, it's my whole team behind me."
McCulloch, who teamed with two other golfers near his hometown in Ontario to win the Inter-Provincial Team Championship last week, was the only player in the field to shoot under par in all four rounds.
"It was a mental grind out there, for sure," he said. "That's why you don't quit on rounds, you keep on fighting. I was 2-over early in both rounds and I somehow found a way to manage myself and the emotions and keep on fighting and find some birdies late."
McCulloch, who will be a junior at Michigan State in 2023-24, was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2022 and has helped lead the Spartans to the NCAA Regionals in each of the last two seasons.
"I'm so happy for Austin and his family," Michigan State Head Coach Casey Lubahn said. "This is such a tremendous accomplishment and his Michigan State family and all of our Spartan alums are thrilled for him. He played great this week against a really challenging field and showed that he is one of the best amateur golfers around."
The win in the Canadian Amateur qualifies McCulloch for the 123rd U.S. Amateur, which will be held from Monday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 20 at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. McCulloch will be one of two Spartans playing in the U.S. Amateur, joined by incoming freshman Lorenzo Pinili.
"It's going to be really cool to get to share that with August," McCulloch said. "For us, following in the footsteps of James (Piot) and seeing what he did to make it through and win a couple of years ago, but of us are really excited for the opportunity to represent Michigan State and make all of Spartan Nation proud."
The win in the Canadian Amateur by McCulloch marks the second time in the last three years a Spartan has claimed their country's honor as top amateur golfer.
"As Ashton's coach at Michigan State and someone who played here too, it's a pretty proud moment for our program. We've made great strides over the last decade to make our program not only one of the best in the Big Ten Conference but in the country. For us, to be able to say that our program had the winners of the U.S. Amateur in 2021 (James Piot) and now the Canadian Amateur is a great moment."
In addition to qualifying to play in the 123rd U.S. Amateur, McCulloch also receives an entry into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ontario.
"It means a lot to represent the amateur team," McCulloch said. "Getting the chance to play in the international open is just amazing."
Players Mentioned
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