The 55-year-old carded a bogey-free, seven-under-par 65 for a 36-hole total of 10-under 134.

The 65 tied the score shot by Bill Zylstra in 2007 at Flint Hills National Golf Club and his 134 matched the stroke-play mark of Billy Claggett in 2005 at The Farms Golf Club. This is also the third time Hogarth, the 1996 U.S. Amateur Public Links champion, has earned medallist honours in a USGA championship, having done so in the 2007 (shared with four others) and 2010 U.S. Mid-Amateurs (3-way) at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and Atlantic Golf Club respectively.

In the 2010 event, Hogarth advanced to the championship match before losing to Nathan Smith.

“You know that’s exciting,” said Hogarth of the achievement. “Any time you do something that is meaningful in history, I’m proud of that.”

Playing in his 37th USGA championship – and first U.S. Senior Amateur (he turned 55 in June) – Hogarth finished four strokes clear of 2015 champion Chip Lutz, one of three 18-hole leaders, Lutz shot a two-under 70 for a 36-hole total of 138.

Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley was in the field this week but failed to qualify for the match play. His fellow Augusta member, Jeff Knox, did advance. PHOTO: USGA.

Sean Knapp, the 2017 champion, and 2015 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball runner-up Sherill Britt were five strokes back. Knapp carded a 66 on Sunday – the second-best score of the day – after a disappointing 73 in Saturday’s first round.

Roger Newsom the runner-up in 2019, finished at four-under 140 after backing up Saturday’s 69 with a 71.

Hogarth, who is walking and carrying his own bag, took advantage of the calm morning conditions (the wind picked up in the afternoon) and closed his round by making birdies on four of his last five holes. His round might have been even lower if it hadn’t been for a pair of three-putt pars.

“Today was just better,” said Hogarth of his overall performance from Saturday’s first round when he carded a 69. “Especially going into match play, to be hitting it really solid makes me feel good about it.”

Lutz began his afternoon round off the 10th tee as if he might take a run at Hogarth for medallist with birdies on 10, 11 and 14. But after nine consecutive pars, he bogeyed six and eight before closing his day with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 ninth.

“I’m quite pleased with the way I played the last two days,” said Lutz. “Really you just need to get into match play and anything can happen. I’m a perfect example of that; I’ve been in five semi final matches [since becoming eligible in 2010] and lost four times. I was in three [semis] and lost before winning [in 2015].”

Knapp’s 66 was keyed by a par save on the par-4 12th, his third hole of the round. After having to lay up from a fairway bunker, the 59-year-old who qualified for this year’s U.S. Amateur executed a perfect 74-yard wedge approach to five feet. When he reached the par-5 17th in two with a 4-iron, Knapp felt he had finally found something after struggling in Round 1. He finished with birdies on four of his last six holes.

“I kind of understand the golf course after the last few days,” said Knapp. “As much as anything, it’s not having to expend that pressure (to qualify) or that emotion coming down the stretch.”