News

By Mark Gaughan

MANLIUS, N.Y. – Samuel Gao put an exclamation point on the biggest win of his young career with a spectacular birdie on the 54th and final hole of the 84th New York State Junior Amateur Championship.

Related: Results / Photos / Day 1 Recap / Championship Central

Clinging to a one-shot lead, Gao hit a 310-yard drive on the par-4 18th hole at the Cavalry Club near Syracuse. Then Gao almost holed out a 54-degree wedge from 109 yards, hitting it to 4 inches with a crowd on the clubhouse patio cheering its approval.

The birdie capped a final round of 69 and gave Gao a three-round total of 11-under par, good for a three-shot victory in the 18-and-under event. 

“I’m personally in shock,” said Gao, a 16-year-old from Scarsdale. “This is really huge. This is my first time being here, and being able to play with the best, and learn from the best and be one of the best is a great experience.”

Gao was born in Hong Kong and moved with his family to the United States six years ago. He just finished his sophomore year at Scarsdale High School. He tied for seventh at the New York State Public High School championship this spring. His best previous competitive finishes have been at the Metropolitan Golf Association’s MetLife Boys Championship, where he lost in the semifinals in 2024 and lost in the finals in 2025.

Gao entered the final round a shot behind Josh Yan, an 18-year-old from Newburgh who plays out of Trump National Golf Club Hudson Valley. Yan, who will play golf for St. John’s University in the fall, just capped a stellar prep career. He won four straight Section IX championships, placed in the top three of the NYS public high school finals four of the last five years and won the NYS Federation title in 2025.

Against a more experienced competitor, Gao showed moxie. When the match got tight on the back nine, Gao hit every fairway and every green in regulation the last five holes. He made only three bogeys in 54 holes.

Gao gave praise to his caddy, Scarsdale classmate Achira Wong. 

“I want to give credit to my caddie,” Gao said. “Throughout the round our decision making was in unison. … I was communicating with him, we were telling jokes to each other, and I feel laughter and fun is what keeps the pressure off. I was trying to have fun.”

Gao took the lead for good by making birdie (a 20-foot putt) to Yan’s bogey on the par-4 second hole. Gao built the lead to three shots at the turn, and four shots with seven holes to go. 

But Yan wouldn’t go away. He hit the green on the par-5 14th in two with a 3-hybrid shot from 225 yards to 11 feet. His eagle putt burned the edge, and he settled for birdie. Then Yan hit a 9-iron from 156 yards to 21 feet and made birdie on the par-3 16th to move to 8-under, one shot behind Gao. On the par-5 17th, Yan hit the 3-hybrid from 255 yards to the front fringe and got down in two for birdie.

Gao also birdied the 17th, hitting a wedge from 92 yards to 8 feet and making a clutch putt.

That set up the 18th and Gao’s final brilliant approach shot.

“I was planning on hitting it short to give myself a makeable birdie putt and not go over the green,” Gao said. “But I kind of just juiced it and hit it pretty pure. I hit a 54-degree. I thought I was going to be a little long.”

It was just right. Yan made bogey on the final hole to finish 8-under.

Yan made no bogeys the first two rounds. He bogeyed three of the first six holes of the final round but collected himself and made it an exciting finish. 

“I knew what I was playing for, which was not only to win this but to qualify for the U.S. Junior Championship,” Yan said, referring to the automatic spot in the U.S. event given to the NYS winner. “I’ve qualified for the U.S. Junior twice back in 2023 and 2024. I had to win to qualify this year. That was my whole mindset coming here.” 

The final round was halted for 90 minutes Wednesday afternoon due to 92-degree heat. That allowed for a later finish in the evening, when the extreme heat had subsided a bit.

“It’s been a really tough 36 holes today in the heat,” Gao said. “I really appreciate everyone here at the course who made the tournament possible.”

Finishing third was Graham Erickson of Rye and Apawamis Country Club. Erickson, who just finished his sophomore year, shot 70-69-70 and finished 7-under. There was a three-way tie for fourth at 5-under that included Thomas Goodelle of New Hartford and Yahnundasis Country Club, Tanner LaTorre of Nassau and the NYSGA eClub, and Ty Monroe of Saugerties and Rip Van Winkle CC. Goodelle shot a final-round 7-under 65 with no bogeys. It was the low round of the tournament.