9-04-2026 4:04am

Senior Golfer Is

Jeff Barto Editor

At 61, Andy Hydorn Is Still Entering and Still Contending

Hydorn finished stroke play tied for fifth at the U.S. Senior Amateur. His run should make older golfers reconsider when they decided their competitive days were over.

By Brendan Elliott. Athlon Sports

I began following Andy Hydorn through the U.S. Senior Amateur because he is my friend. I am continuing because what he is doing at Baltimore Country Club has become relevant to far more golfers than the two of us.

Annika Sorenstam talks to the media ahead of this week's at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of ChampionsAnnika Sorenstam talks to the media ahead of this week's at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions

Hydorn followed Saturday’s opening 71 with a 2-over 72 Sunday, finishing the two rounds of stroke play at 3-over 143 and tied for fifth. In a 156-player field, only seven players finished tied for fifth or better.

The low 64 scorers advanced to match play. Andy did far more than squeeze through the door.

He played nearly 10 strokes better than the combined field average across the two rounds. The East Course averaged 76.49 Saturday and 76.28 Sunday, while Andy posted 71 and 72.

The friendship made me notice the story. The golf has given me every reason to stay with it.

The Golf Was Good Enough to Carry a Bad Putter

“I would say the stroke-play portion was exactly what I had hoped for,” Hydorn said Sunday evening. “I was a little bit antsy before the competition started. My swing didn’t feel great.”

Before leaving Houston, Hydorn worked with someone at his club and found a few things that needed attention. He continued looking at video after that session, arrived in Baltimore and made a couple of additional adjustments. FINISH READING HERE