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Natarajan Goes Wire-to-Wire for 2022 AGA Short Course Victory

BY: ALEX GELMAN, USGA P.J. BOATWRIGHT INTERN

Shankar Natarajan won the 2022 AGA Short Course Tournament hosted by Augusta Ranch Golf Club in Mesa, finishing the two-day event at -8 overall.

“The best part of my game was my short game,” said Natarajan. “I had some crucial up and downs early that kept my lead and on a lot of shots, I kept it away from trouble and set myself up.”

Mike Louden finished in second place, -6, two shots back of Natarajan, followed by Sam Engle, -5, who finished third.

Natarajan followed up his first round -6 (55) with a -2 (59) Sunday to top a standout leaderboard. He carded 11 birdies over the weekend and just three bogeys.

This is the first time Augusta Ranch Golf Club has hosted to the AGA Short Course Tournament. Playing as a par 61, players noted the 3,846-yard course was in great condition over the two days of golf. Made up of seven par 4’s and twelve par 3’s, the field needed a solid strategy to navigate Augusta Ranch.

“I think the course played really well,” said Natarajan. “It was in great shape and there were some really tough pins.”

Natarajan is looking to follow the same path of friend Sean O’Donnell, who won the 2021 Short Course tournament en route to 2021 AGA Player of the Year honors. The AZ Short Course was O’Donnell’s first victory of the year, similarly to Natarajan.

“I would like to (win AGA Player of the Year) – I play with him (Sean O’Donnell) a lot,” said Natarajan. “We won the Phoenix City Team Championship last month. I felt like if I could get off to a good start, then we’ll see what happens later in the year. Try to get some major wins.”

Natarajan’s next AGA event will be the 2022 San Tan Amateur, scheduled for February 26-27 at Oakwood Country Club in Sun Lakes.

Link to full results: www.golfgenius.com/pages/3320651