RHODES, Iowa – Trevor Gutschewski has had a busy couple of weeks.
Last week, the Omaha, Nebraska, native was at Oakmont Country Club to compete in his first U.S. Open. On Thursday, he won the 107th Western Junior championship, finishing 7-under par after 54 holes at The Harvester Club.
In a week marked by inclement weather, Gutschewski outlasted a series of challengers to add another prestigious trophy to his growing collection. The 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur champion posted a 2-under 70 in Thursday’s final round to finish one stroke ahead of Cameron Kuchar, of Tequesta, Florida.
Gutschewski separated himself on a crowded leaderboard with birdies on Nos. 14 and 16, building enough of a cushion that he could be conservative on the par-5 18th. Needing just a par to win, he found the fairway, laid up into comfortable wedge range and clinched the victory.
“I felt pretty comfortable after my second shot on 18,” the 18-year-old said. “I knew I could get it on in three, so that’s when I let out a little sigh of relief, thinking, ‘I’ve got this.’ ”
Gutschewski arrived in Iowa fresh off his experience at the 125th U.S. Open, where he played a practice round with U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley. Gutschewski missed the cut but learned from the experience.
“Oakmont was incredible,” he said. “Having to be so precise on those fast greens really fine-tunes your game.”
Weather delays on Wednesday forced tournament officials to shorten the Western Junior from 72 holes to 54, turning the final day into a sprint.
Gutschewski – the son of longtime professional golfer Scott Gutschewski – entered the final round tied for the 36-hole lead, boosted by a hole-out eagle on the par-4 seventh hole on Thursday morning, as he completed his second round. The No. 13-ranked player in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, Gutschewski was the only player in the field to post three under-par rounds, carding 70-69-70.
Kuchar, a TCU commit and the son of nine-time PGA TOUR winner Matt Kuchar, made a strong final-round push. Playing one group ahead of Gutschewski, Kuchar finished a 3-under 69 with a birdie on the 18th hole to take the clubhouse lead at 6-under.
“I hit it well all week,” the 17-year-old Kuchar said. “I was nervous most of the round today. It was my first time in the hunt at a big-time tournament. I hit a bunch of really good shots, but hats off to Trevor. He played great this week and had a strong finish. I’m excited for both of us.”
Evan Rogers, of Duluth, Georgia, made a late charge with birdies on five of his final six holes. The Tennessee at Chattanooga commit fired a 4-under 68 – tying the low round of the day – to finish 5-under and alone in third.
With his brother Luke caddying for him all week, Gutschewski became the first U.S. Junior winner to win the Western Junior since Cory Whitsett in 2008. He earned an exemption into the 2025 Western Amateur, set for July 28–Aug. 2 at Skokie Country Club in Glencoe, Illinois. Kuchar and Rogers also secured exemptions with their top-three finishes.
“It feels great, and I know this is one of the best fields in amateur golf,” Gutschewski said. “It’s special to be able to go out and play against the best amateurs in the world. Super excited for the opportunity.”
By hoisting the Milton Woodard Trophy, Gutschewski joins an elite list of past champions that includes Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler and Jim Furyk.
“It feels good to be on a trophy with those guys,” Gutschewski said. “It gives you confidence, especially in a game where you don’t always have it. It’s a great feeling.”
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