Shelley triumphs at 2023 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship

WEST VANCOUVER, British Columbia — BYU's Tyson Shelley won the 2023 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship on Friday after making a birdie on the second playoff hole at Capilano Golf and Country Club. 

“I feel like everything clicked today,” said Shelley. “My driver has been exceptional all week; today, it was down the middle every time. My putts were lipping out throughout the week, but today everything fell inside the hole. I think that’s what led to my 62 today.”

The rising junior fired rounds of 69-69-67-62—267 across four days to finish 13-under par for the tournament and earn a spot in a sudden-death playoff. Shelley’s 8-under 62 in the final round tied the course record that has stood for more than 20 years.

After carding his bogey-free final round, which included eight birdies, Shelley competed with Jack Buchanan of Australia in a hole-by-hole playoff. On his second stroke of the second playoff hole, Shelley ripped his 4-iron from 235 yards to 20 feet which set up a two-putt birdie to secure the tournament victory. 

Shelley was one of four members of the Cougar squad to participate in the event. Cooper Jones (66-66-67-75—274, -6), an incoming freshman, shot 66 in the first and second rounds to tie for 13th. Cooper carded 18 birdies and one eagle throughout the four-day tournament. Rising senior Keanu Akina (72-71-72-73—288; +8) and rising junior Zac Jones (70-70-70-78—288; +8) tied for 53rd.