Andy Hydorn Wins 89th Texas Senior Amateur Presented by Republic Aviation at BraeBurn Country Club

Andy Hydorn of Houston capped a long-awaited breakthrough Sunday, carding a 1-under 71 to win the 89th Texas Senior Amateur presented by Republic Aviation by one stroke at BraeBurn Country Club.

Hydorn finished at 1-under 215, holding off a crowded leaderboard and delivering a clutch birdie on the par-5 18th hole to secure his first Texas Senior Amateur championship.

Hydorn entered the final round as one of five players tied for the lead after 36 holes. The 98th West Texas Amateur Senior Division champion struggled to find his footing early, making the turn at 1-over 37 after a birdie on the par-5 fourth was followed by bogeys on Nos. 5 and 8.

Still within striking distance, Hydorn steadied himself on the back nine. He opened the side with a birdie on No. 10, beginning a stretch that would ultimately bring him back into the lead.

The championship came down to the final hole.

Buzz Baker of Richmond, who entered Sunday sharing the 36-hole lead, had already completed his round and was watching from the clubhouse as the final group made its way down the 18th fairway. John Derrick of Waco, playing alongside Hydorn, made par on the closing hole to finish at even-par 216.

Hydorn needed a birdie to claim the championship outright.

He found the green in regulation and calmly rolled in the birdie putt, closing with a 2-under 34 on the back nine and finishing at 1-under 215 for a one-shot victory.

“It’s everything I could ever dream of,” Hydorn said with a smile. “It’s amazing. I’ve been so close in this tournament on several occasions. Sometimes you think it’s not ever really going to happen, so what happened this week, I’m over the moon.”

Baker, Bob Jacobson of McKinney and Derrick finished tied for second at even-par 216. Baker, who shared the 36-hole lead entering Sunday, carded a final-round 72. Jacobson also shot 72, while Derrick closed with a 72 of his own.

Derrick, the 2020 Texas Senior Amateur champion, was seeking his second title in the championship but came up one stroke short.

Jerry Achilles of Georgetown, Bobby Baugh of San Antonio and Sandy Pierce of Houston finished tied for fifth at 4-over 220. Achilles made the biggest move of the trio, climbing 10 spots with a final-round 72. Baugh carded a 73, while Pierce finished with a 74.

Chris Germann of Dripping Springs and Michael Sullivan of Spring rounded out the top 10, tying for eighth at 5-over 221. Germann shot 74 in the final round, while Sullivan carded a 76 after entering the day inside the top 10.

For Hydorn, the victory marks the culmination of a run at BraeBurn that had twice ended one shot short. After finishing runner-up in the Texas Senior Amateur on two previous occasions, including last year’s 88th championship, Hydorn finally broke through Sunday to add the title to his résumé.

As champion, Hydorn earns an exemption into the next five Texas Senior Amateurs, including the 90th Texas Senior Amateur at Galveston Country Club and the 91st Texas Senior Amateur at Carlton Woods.

Players battled warm and humid conditions throughout the final round in Houston, with temperatures reaching the low 90s under partly sunny skies. The heat and humidity added another challenge as the field navigated the final round at BraeBurn Country Club.

The Texas Golf Association extends its appreciation to Republic Aviation for its continued support of the Texas Senior Amateur and its commitment to championship golf in Texas. The presenting sponsorship helps provide an exceptional championship experience for the state’s best senior amateur golfers.

The TGA also thanks BraeBurn Country Club for hosting the 89th Texas Senior Amateur and its staff and membership for their hospitality throughout the championship. The club’s support and the work of its team helped create a first-class setting for the championship and provided players with a challenging test of golf.

The Texas Golf Association will next host the 43rd Texas Mid-Amateur presented by Hytera US, Oct. 2-4 at Wichita Falls Country Club.

To view final scores from the 89th Texas Senior Amateur presented by Republic Aviation, click here.