PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (June 18, 2026) Matthew Lowe of Bethpage State Park Golf Club captured the 78th MGA Public Links Championship on Thursday at Harbor Links Golf Course. Battling wind gusts that exceeded 30 mph throughout the day, Lowe carded rounds of 68 and 73 to finish at 3-under-par 141 and claim his third MGA Public Links title.
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Lowe set the tone early in the opening round, racing to a 4-under-par 33 on his opening nine holes behind four birdies. He followed with a 1-under-par back nine to post a tournament-best 68 and take control of the championship heading into the afternoon round. As conditions became increasingly difficult, Lowe relied on his experience playing in the wind to navigate Harbor Links’ demanding layout.
“The wind was unbelievably hard,” said Lowe. “In my 30 years, I’ve never played in wind that difficult. It was the worst swirling wind I’ve ever played in.”
Despite the challenging conditions, Lowe entered the final few holes with a narrow advantage over Luke Ogrady-Rodgers of Centennial Golf Club, who continued to apply pressure throughout the afternoon.
“Luke refused to make any mistakes all afternoon,” Lowe said. “He didn’t make many mistakes coming in, and I made a birdie on 16, which felt like a huge win.”
Holding a slim lead on the 18th hole, Lowe found himself in a difficult position around the green but managed to get up and down when it mattered most.
“I was playing for a good par on 18 while trying to make bogey the worst score I could make,” Lowe said. “I didn’t make that super easy for myself. I hit a great flop shot and had four feet for par but then left myself a difficult putt coming back.” Lowe ultimately secured the championship with a two-round total of 141, becoming a three-time MGA Public Links champion.
Finishing in a tie for second at 2-under-par 142 were Mark Sommerfeld of MGA eClub – Long Island and Luke Ogrady-Rodgers of Centennial Golf Club.
Sommerfeld opened with an even-par 72 before posting a second-round 70, the low round of the afternoon wave. After making the turn at 1-over-par, he caught fire on his inward nine, recording four birdies over a five-hole stretch to vault into contention.
Ogrady-Rodgers recorded rounds of 70 and 72. The 20-year-old made five birdies during the opening round and remained firmly in the hunt throughout the afternoon, carding one birdie and one bogey over his final 18 holes while battling the difficult winds.
Peter Byrne of Rock Spring Golf Club, Ethan Lee of MGA eClub – New Jersey, and Matthew DiFiore of MGA eClub – Long Island shared fourth place at 2-over-par 146. Jacob DeJesus of MGA eClub – New Jersey and Diego Ocasio of Blue Hill Golf Association finished tied for seventh at 3-over-par 147, while Devon Kim of MGA eClub – New York City rounded out the top 10 at 4-over-par 148.
Harbor Links Golf Course provided a stern test throughout the championship, with strong winds and firm conditions. Only three players finished the championship under par. The victory marks Lowe’s third MGA Public Links Championship title and his second consecutive victory in the championship.
