Paul Mitzel can’t remember a crazier match.
He and Ryan O’Rear delivered an absolute birdie-fest Monday at the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale. The two players each claimed seven holes in regulation, with all but two of those wins coming via birdie. Their tied pars at the 18th marked just the fourth halved hole of the day and sent the match to extra holes.
“The match was incredible,” Mitzel said. “I’ve played a lot of match play, and I’ve never experienced anything like that… Not sure I’ll ever experience anything like that again.
“Too bad it had to end that way.”
Mitzel, a 35-year-old from Seattle, ultimately lost in 20 holes to O’Rear.
And the craziest part? Neither player hit a shot on that 20th hole.
Mitzel lost the match after his caddie accepted a cart ride from the first green to the par-4 second during the playoff. The walking rules official called the penalty, which, per Model Local Rule G-6, resulted in loss of the hole—and consequently, the match.
MLR G-6 states, “During a round, a player or caddie must not ride on any form of motorized transportation except as authorized or later approved by the committee.”
Already flying home, Mitzel explained the situation to Golf Channel. O’Rear had just gotten up and down from a greenside bunker while Mitzel two-putted from 25 feet to tie the hole. As Mitzel walked up the hill to the next tee, his caddie—who had just replaced the flagstick—was offered a ride by one of the shuttle drivers who had been following the match.
Mitzel noted that players were already being shuttled between the 14th and 15th holes on the desert layout. He also mentioned that O’Rear asked the official if he could veto the ruling himself and continue the match, but that request was denied.
This isn’t the first time this rule has impacted a USGA event. At the 2018 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach, Akshay Bhatia lost the 14th hole after his caddie accepted a cart ride back from the bathroom—Bhatia went on to lose to Bradford Tilley in 19 holes. Similarly, three Korn Ferry Tour players received two-shot penalties at the 2023 Lecom Suncoast Classic after taking shuttle rides during their second rounds.
“I have to think anyone in that situation takes the ride when a shuttle driver asks if they want to hop on really quick and not think anything of it,” said Mitzel, defending his friend. “My caddie doesn’t deserve any fault. He’s the man and an awesome friend. I’d do the same thing in his shoes. We were having so much fun, it’s too bad.”
This was Mitzel’s third straight U.S. Mid-Amateur appearance after taking about a decade off from competitive golf following his college career at Washington State. Beyond winning the 2022 Pacific Northwest Amateur and last year’s Trans-Miss Mid-Amateur, Mitzel has developed a peculiar talent for playoffs—six in three years. Those include qualifying for his previous two U.S. Mid-Amateurs, making match play each of the past two years, winning his first-round match last year in 19 holes, and Monday’s 20-hole defeat.
“It’s hardened me in a lot of ways,” said Mitzel, who became a father six months ago to son Brooks. “I was looking forward to making a dent this year, and I truly believe I was about to.”
O’Rear, from Georgetown, Texas, moves on to Tuesday’s Round of 32 against George Ordway of Charlottesville, Virginia. Other notable players still alive include three-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Stewart Hagestad, defending champion Evan Beck, brothers Cody and Bobby Massa (the latter lost to Beck in last year’s final), and 2022 semifinalists Drew Kittleson and Stephen Behr Jr. Several reinstated amateurs are also in contention, including Ian Davis, Talor Gooch’s former Oklahoma State teammate, and Nahum Mendoza, who played with Xander Schauffele at San Diego State.
