
It took 386 starts but Greg Chalmers finally broke through and won his first PGA Tour title. The 42 year old Aussie took home the Barracuda Championship on Sunday at Montreux in Reno, NV with a spectacular closing hole.
Prior to the win, Chalmers held the dubious status of being the active player with the most events entered without a victory.
Heading into the par 5 18th hole, Chalmers was one point up on Gary Woodland and needed at least a par to secure the win. But instead of playing it safe, Chalmers laced a 320 tee shot, followed by a beautiful 230 yard approach shot, and then drained an 8 footer for eagle. And just like that, the man who had won a total of $44,000 this season was going home with the trophy and a check for $556,000.
Note: The Barracuda is the only event on tour which uses Stableford scoring format (eagles 4, birdies 2, pars 0, bogeys -1, double bogeys -3).
Leaderboard
Chalmers 43, Gary Woodland 37, Colt Knost 35, Tim Herron 34, Brendan Steele 32, Steve Wheatcroft 32
Quotes from the Winner
Feels Blessed
“It’s hard to win and I’m very thrilled and very pleased to get it done. It was a tough. I knew today would be difficult. And we had difficult conditions. I was blessed, I think, that guys found it tough just the same as I found it tough.”
Right Direction
“Just to get back on the PGA Tour. I can’t tell you how exciting that is. Forty-two years of age, I turn 43 in October. This is a real fork in the road for my career, and it’s in the right direction.”
Royal Troon Ticket
“Can’t wait. It’s such a great thing that the R&A and Barracuda here have done for us, even though the circumstances that came about weren’t the greatest.”
Chalmers With The Trophy
Congratulations to Greg Chalmers, your 2016 Barracuda Championship Champion. #CudaChamp16 pic.twitter.com/MJ8jG8BpcY
— Barracuda Golf (@CudaChamp) July 4, 2016
Finally: Greg Chalmers was very emotional following his first win. The Aussie choked up and thanked friends, family, and even Titleist for making the new 917 driver, which helped him drive it further and straighter.
An emotional win for Greg Chalmers.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 4, 2016
SOURCES: AP | GOLF CHANNEL | BARRACUDA CHAMPIONSHIP