This time around, it was the caddies who drove and putted their way to victory.
Brett Thawley and AJ Fitzgerald, who work as caddies at famed Cypress Point Club, shot a final round 7-under 65 at Spyglass Hill to come in at 21-under 194 and claim a wire-to-wire win at the annual NCGA Four-Ball Championship.
The duo's total 54-hole total score of 194 set a new championship record. Their 21-under total tied the championship record held by 2016 winners Bobby Bucey and Brett Viboch. Poppy Hills, used in the 2026 event, is a par-71 while Spyglass Hill is a par-72.
For Thawley and Fitzgerald, ages 32 and 25, respectively, the win also marked a Four-Ball two-fer. The two also won last year's NCGA Mid-Amateur Four-Ball title at Poppy Ridge.
"It's unbelievable playing with him, playing aggressively and making as many birdies as we can," Thawley. "It's special playing with someone you're off the course as well. It's such a good field, you know you have to come out and play well."
"It's really cool to win at Spyglass," added Fitzgerald. "We're both from here. It's nice to get a win in Pebble Beach."
Among the biggest differences for the two was a solid opening round 9-under 62 at Poppy Hills.
In the final round at Spyglass, they were at one point threatened by the tandem of Yale University teammates Robert You and Darren Lin, who got within two shots.
Fitzgerald, the NCGA's Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season, provided he and Thawley some ample breathing room, however, when he chipped in for eagle on the par-5 11th hole. The two later tacked back-to-back birdies at holes Nos. 14 and 15 for extra cushion.
You and Lin, who had an eagle chip-in of their own on the par-5 7th hole, made back-to-back birdies on holes 16 and 17, but by then it was too late. They'd finish with a 65 and 54-hole total of 198.
Along with celebrating amongst themselves, Thawley and Fitzgerald also gave some Mother's Day shoutouts. Thawley's wife, Sybille, a mother of two, came out to watch the last few holes. Fitzgerald, meanwhile, had been in contact with his mom Aana, who previously worked at the NCGA for 30 years.
"I have two little kids, so my wife letting me play this tournament means a lot," Thawley said.
The team of Reid Buzby and Daniel Connolly placed third at 200 after a final round 67.
