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Tanigawa, Wilcox to Play in AZ Am Championship Match

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The field of 144 of the best amateur golfers in Arizona has been whittled down to two. After seven rounds of combined stroke play and match play, Ken Tanigawa of Paradise Valley, Ariz. and Chad Wilcox of Phoenix, Ariz. will meet for a final match to determine the winner of the 93rd Arizona Amateur Championship hosted by Moon Valley Country Club. 
In the first two rounds of stroke play qualifying, Tanigawa finished 10-under with a total 134 while Wilcox hit a 7-under, 137 to earn their way to top-10 seeds headed into match play.
However the match play road to the championship was not easy for either player. 
Two of Tanigawa’s three match play rounds prior to Friday afternoon’s semifinal went to 19 holes. He beat Sean O’Donnell 3 and 2 in the semifinals to advance.
“Match play is a funny animal,” said 49-year-old Tanigawa. “You can play well and lose or play poorly and win, it’s just a strange thing.”
Wilcox had some close match play rounds himself, but dominated in the quarterfinals and battled incoming ASU freshman Mason Andersen in the semifinals to win 2 and 1 for the championship spot. 
“I haven’t play a competitive tournament like this since I got out of college,” said 31-year-old Wilcox, nicknamed ‘Big Diva’ by his friends and family. “I came in with no expectations but I’m playing great and it’s been really fun.”
Tanigawa and Wilcox will tee off No. 1 at 7 a.m. Saturday morning with the sights of the coveted Kachina trophy not far off.  
Moon Valley Country Club is located at 151 W Moon Valley Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85023. 
Match Play Bracket