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PHOENIX, N.Y. – Ryan Xie became medalist at the U.S Junior Amateur Championship Qualifying on Monday. He had the low score of one-under, 71, at Beaver Meadows Golf Club. The native of New Zealand was one of four to clinch a spot in the 78th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship next month.

Related: Results / Photos / U.S. Junior Am Home

Xie found himself two-over through six but made two birdies to finish the front-nine at even. After two bogeys in holes 10-12, he found his stride at the end with birdies on 16 and 18. 

“Definitely didn't have my best, but I scrambled quite well,” Xie said. “Made sure to save par and just took the birdies when they came.”

Xie is committed to golf at Santa Clara next fall and travelled from New Zealand to play in this qualifier along with some other tournaments in the United States. He’ll return to the East Coast for the U.S. Junior Amateur in Pennsylvania. 

McCartney Hinkle finished in solo-second, posting a score of even par, 72. The Virginia native had 16 pars, a birdie on hole 4, and a bogey on hole 11. Canada’s Hunter Burke was the lone third-place finisher with a round of 73, one-over. His birdie on the 17th hole was crucial for his qualification as it helped him miss out on the ensuing playoff. 

With seven plays tied for fourth place at two-over, a playoff decided the final qualifying spot as well as the two alternate spots. After the first playoff hole, Brayden Sentz, Michael Vivone and Dane Mohap stayed alive by parring the hole. 

Sentz chipped in to par the second playoff hole along with the other two but bogeyed the next hole to claim the second alternate position. Mohap and Vivone proceeded to battle for two more holes until Mohap claimed the final qualifying spot on the fifth playoff hole. Vivone was named first alternate.

The course was played at 6716 yards and a par of 72.

Saucon Valley C.C. in Pennsylvania will play host to this year’s U.S. Junior Amateur Championships from July 20-25.