McClean opens with 66 to share lead in US Mid-Amateur qualifying
Matthew McClean watches his tee shot at the second hole during the first round of stroke play of the 2025 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Steve Gibbons/USGA)
Three-time champion Stewart Hagestad and Matthew McClean, who triumphed in 2022, each carded rounds of 5-under-par 66 on Saturday in Scottsdale to share the lead after the first round of the 44th U.S. Mid-Amateur.
Hagestad, 34, of Newport Beach, Calif., entered the championship one week removed from helping Team USA secure a fifth consecutive Walker Cup victory at Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, Calif.
Despite the quick turnaround, the University of Southern California graduate posted six birdies against just one bogey at stroke-play co-host Troon North Golf Club Saturday morning.
“I think the big thing I tried to tell myself both last night and this morning was, ‘Hey, you’re going to be a little tired. That’s okay,” Hagestad said. “Go out, execute, try to play smart, disciplined. Which I did a nice job of today.”
McClean, 32, of Northern Ireland – who competed against Hagestad in the 2023 Walker Cup at St Andrews and is a fellow U.S. Mid-Amateur champion – matched the pace with a round jump-started by four consecutive birdies playing off No. 10 at Troon Country Club.
Matthew McClean lines up his putt at the ninth hole during the first round of stroke play of the 2025 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Steve Gibbons/USGA)
That streak ended with bogey, and McClean followed it up with three more birdies in a row on his inward nine before recording a second bogey on Troon’s par-4 sixth (his 15th).
“I don’t remember ever starting with four birdies, so I didn’t know what to do with myself,” McClean said. “Had a bit of a wobble in the middle. You’re never not going to take four birdies to start, but it has its own pressure.”
Patrick Dewey, a 33-year-old making his first appearance in the championship, made the most of his debut. Playing in the morning wave, Dewey went eagle, birdie, ace on Nos. 11-13 (his second, third and fourth holes of the day) to produce a memorable stretch that featured the 28th hole-in-one in championship history. His wife, Samantha, is serving as his caddie.
“That was surreal. I’ve never done that. Especially in an event," said Dewey, who works in outside services at his home club, Abacoa Golf Club. "This is my first USGA championship, so I’m on cloud nine right now."
South Carolina native Chandler Mulkey, who competed in the U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club in August, carded a bogey-free outward nine, turning in a total of six birdies and an eagle against a bogey and double bogey for his first-round 66 at Troon Country Club.
What's Next
The 263 remaining competitors will switch stroke-play venues on Sunday for the second round, after which the field will be trimmed to the low 64 scorers for match play, which begins on Monday.
Should a playoff be necessary to determine the final match-play spots, it will take place Monday morning at Troon C.C. Match play will continue through Sunday’s 36-hole championship match. Admission is free, and spectators are encouraged to attend.
