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Last year Foothill High junior golfer Brandon Knight caught fire at the right time, winning the CIF State Championship by a shot.
That Knight has some serious game is no secret to anyone who knows him, but there still might have been some not too familiar with Knight and his mad game.
As of March 26, unless you live in a cave, if you know golf in Northern California, you know Knight.
It was on that Sunday that Knight ended a three-week journey to win the Men’s Championship Flight at the iconic San Francisco City Championships held at Harding Park.
Knight’s 1-up win over Mitchell Hoey of Alamo in the 36-hole final on March 26 put him in company with former winners like George Archer, Ken Venturi, and Harvie Ward.
After making it to the round of 16 last year, Knight got over the top this year, perhaps because of a secret weapon – his caddy.
“My mom was my caddie for all but seven holes of the tournament,” said Knight. “In between shots it took all of the stress away.”
Knight went through the stroke play (qualifying) portion playing solid but not spectacular golf and qualified 14th for the match play portion of the event.
During the week between the end of qualifying and match, Knight found something during one of his Foothill high school matches.
“Between weekends, my game turned around,” explained Knight.
In match play, Knight beat Lequan Wang (4 and 3), followed by Keshau Mugali (19 th hole) in a battle.
“That was one of my toughest matches,” said Knight of the match that went one extra hole. “We played the 18th a second time and he hacked it out of bounds dead left.”
Because of the length of the match, there was a short break before getting out on the course again for the third round.
“I had 20 minutes before I had to play,” said Knight of his match with Jack Barber. “I played really good and hit it consistent, winning 4-and-3.”
With another week until the next rounds of the tournament, Knight had some time to think about his game.
“It was nice to get that time off,” said Knight. “I knew I had to play well.”
That brought the quarterfinals and a match with Kyreece Romero. Both played well, with Knight holding on for the 2-and-1 win and a spot in the semifinals.
On a brutal windy day, Knight won his semifinal 1-up over Michael Carrillo, earning a spot in the finals.
“He was such a nice guy, great to play with,” said Knight of Carrillo. “That was horrible wind. I think I shot like 4-over.”
The fun was just beginning as Knight started thinking about the 36-hole final that started the next morning against Hoey.
“We didn’t get home until 8 p.m. Saturday night and I had to get up at 4:15 a.m.,” explained Knight of the daunting turnaround. “The sunrise wasn’t until 7:10 a.m. so we warmed up in the dark. The first 4-5 holes it was really dark.”
The two friends – Hoey, who is from Alamo, is a sophomore at St. Mary’s College after playing at De La Salle for his high school career – figured it was going to a long, tough day.
“The first 18 we were battling,” said Knight. “I was 2 up for one hole, from there it was either all square or I was up one, or he was. He made some putts and hit some bombs. I lost the 18th and was one-down at the turn.”
After a lunch break it was time to get after it again.
“I had a good amount of confidence for the second 18,” said Knight. “I didn’t play great and, I was one down at the break.”
Knight and Hoey still battled through the second 18.
“It was all square after 13. We halved 14 and 15, and then came the 16th ,” said Knight.
The 16th is the enticing short par 4, full of risk and reward. It’s the same hole Collin Morikawa made eagle to win the PGA Championship in 2020 at Harding.
Hoey teed off first and pushed his shot into the trees, while Knight followed with a 3-wood in the fairway, leaving 89 yards.
Knight went first with his gap wedge. The shot hit short and went in to the cup for eagle. Hoey had no shot and conceded the hole to put Knight 1-up with two to play.
He hit a 6-iron to 30 feet on the par 3 17th, and had a chance to win it, but just missed sending the two to the 18th with Knight up one.
That left the treacherous 18th, where the tee was pushed back for the championship match.
“I was nervous on the tee with that tee back,” said Knight. Knight found the fairway, while Hoey found the fairway bunker. Advantage Knight, but that feeling was short lived.”
“(Hoey) hit one of the best bunker shots I have ever seen to 15-feet,” said Knight. “The adrenaline got me, and I hit a wedge 40 feet past.”
Facing a tricky putt, Knight got it to just over four feet. Trailing by a hole, Hoey needed to sink the 15-footer to win the hole and force extra time.
He left it just short. The two tied the hole, giving Knight the title.
“I was tired, but I was happy,” said Knight. “My whole family was there.”
Following the tournament, it was back to school – literally.
Knight is looking forward to the high school postseason again, which starts with the EBAL tournament on May 1.
“Getting and winning state is a goal,” said Knight. “It was great last year when we made it as a team. I don’t know what will happen this year as we lost two guys from that team.”
Congratulations Brandon!! Way to battle!