The sophomore at the University of Washington handled playing in the final grouping with the lead like a seasoned veteran, solidifying his name in Pacific Coast Amateur Championship lore with a 72-hole line of 70-62-62-67-261 (-19).  His four round 261 total broke the Pacific Coast Amateur gross score record by two strokes held by James Lepp from 2003.

Pereira opened the round with a five-stroke lead over Lorens Chan and Whittier, California native Mark Anguiano. Playing in the same grouping, both Chan and Anguiano would have needed exceptional rounds to catch Pereira, a fact that seemed to motivate Pereira to close the Championship early.

After opening the first three holes with effortless pars, Pereira would make birdies on four and six along with his only bogey of the day on the fifth.

Making the turn at one-under 34 and holding a seven-stroke lead over Chan at the time, Pereira would use his unrelenting accuracy off the tee to dismantle any hope of a come-back. He would make two more birdies on holes 14 and 16 to get his round to three-under par and his total to -19. After making a two-putt par on 17, Pereira would come down 18 with the title all but wrapped up.

After hitting his approach to 35 feet and missing his birdie try by mere inches, Pereira would make a four-foot putt coming back, raising his hands in triumph as the 48th champion in the Pacific Coast Amateur’s history.

Finishing tied for runner-up honors was Chan and Matt Hansen. Chan, the UCLA Bruin who held the lead following round two, would struggle early in the day with double bogeys on holes seven and 12 before making three consecutive birdies to climb the leaderboard for good. Chan’s four-day total of -11 (67-63-69-70-269) was a valiant effort by a player who will be successful on the amateur circuit for years to come.

Hansen, a recent graduate of UC Davis, was finally able to post a low number, with a final round 66. His four-day scores of 69-69-65-66-(269) will no doubt bump the World Amateur No.92 up the rankings before he turns professional later this year.

Rounding out the top-5 at -10 (270) were Anguiano and Minneapolis, MN native Andrew McCain.

This years’ installment of the Pacific Coast Amateur broke records including the lowest gross by Pereira and the lowest ever round (not in relation to par) by second-day standout Alex McMahon of Tucson, AZ with a 61. The previous record was held by James Lepp with a 62 at Capilano G&CC.

The Pacific Coast Golf Association would like to thank the Pine Canyon Club and the Arizona Golf Association for their hospitality throughout the week.

Held on an annual basis since 1967, with roots dating back to 1901, the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship boasts a rich history of showcasing some of the most talented golfers in the United States, Canada and beyond. Next years’ edition of the event will be held at the Eugene Country Club in Eugene, OR.

Past champions of the Pacific Coast Amateur who have gone on to successful professional careers include PGA Tour winners Billy Mayfair (1987, 1988), Jason Gore (1997) and Ben Crane (1998) as well as Web.com Tour winners and brothers Michael Putnam (2004) and Andrew Putnam (2010).

For more information on the Championship, visit www.pacificcoastamateur.com.