Garrick Higgo shot a final-round 68 en route to his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Palmetto Championship.
The 22-year old South African entered Sunday’s finale at Congaree Golf Club six shots off the pace of overnight leader Chesson Hadley. After turning in even par 36, Higgo was still five back of Hadley. But an eagle on the par-5 12th followed by a birdie on 14 cut the deficit to just two shots. Then Hadley, who’d been wobbly all day, finally lost control and went into a untimely tailspin, finishing with bogeys on 16, 17 and 18 to hand the title to Higgo who’d safely parred his way home.
Higgo’s win comes as no surprise to those who’ve followed the burgeoning star’s young career. After leaving the University of Las Vegas, and turning pro in the summer of 2019, the former No. 1 ranked South African amateur has won everywhere and at a breathtaking pace. He claimed three titles in 22 starts as a rookie on the South African Sunshine Tour. Then three more times in 22 starts as a rookie on the European Tour, spanning 2020-21. And now in just his second start on the PGA Tour: another win. That’s seven wins in 46 career tour starts.
For his first big tour victory, Higgo earned $1,314,000 and 500 FedExCup points. He’s not a member of the PGA Tour but this will earn him a two-year membership/exemption. He also picked up 38 Official World Golf Ranking points and will move into the top 35.
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Garrick Higgo Pro-File
Full Name: Garrick Higgo
Nationality: South African
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 175 lb
Birthdate: May 12, 1999 (age 22)
Native: Johannesburg, South Africa
Primary Sponsor: Titleist
2021 Palmetto Championship: Top-5
Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 4)
1. Garrick Higgo -11 (-3)
2. Hudson Swafford -10 (-5)
2. Doc Redman -10 (-4)
2. Jhonattan Vegas -10 (-4)
2. Tyrrell Hatton -10 (-3)
2. Bo Van Pelt -10 (-3)
2. Chesson Hadley -10 (+4)
Early Rounds: 2021 Palmetto Championship
ROUND 1
Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 1)
1. Wes Roach 64 (-7)
2. Doc Redman 65 (-6)
2. Dustin Johnson 65 (-6)
2. Chesson Hadley 65 (-6)
2. Erik van Rooyen 65 (-6)
19. Garrick Higgo -3 (68)
ROUND 2
Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 2)
1. Chesson Hadley -11 (-5)
2. Dustin Johnson -9 (-3)
10. Garrick Higgo -5 (-2)
ROUND 3
Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 3)
1. Chesson Hadley -14 (-3)
2. Harris English -10 (-4)
3. Garrick Higgo -8 (-3)
Top Check Cashers: Top 5
Pos-Player-(Money)
1. Garrick Higgo $1,314,000
2. Hudson Swafford $411,233
2. Doc Redman $411,233
2. Jhonattan Vegas $411,233
2. Tyrrell Hatton $411,233
2. Bo Van Pelt $411,233
2. Chesson Hadley $411,233
Garrick Higgo’s Winning Numbers
Topline Stats:
Driving: 317.2 yards (32nd)
Fairways: 36/56, 64.29% (T86)
Greens: 54/72, 75.0% (4th)
Putts/GIR: 1.685 (13th)
Strokes Gained:
Off the Tee: 3.392 (13th)
Approach the Green: 4.564 (11th)
Around the Green: 0.592 (40th)
Putting: 3.765 (15th)
Tee to Green: 8.547 (8th)
Total: 12.312 (1st)
Garrick Higgo’s Career Victories
PGA Tour: 1
2021 Palmetto Championship
European Tour: 3
2021 Canary Islands Championship
2021 Gran Canaria Lopesan Open
2020 Portugal Open
Sunshine Tour: 3
2020 Tour Championship
2019 Sun City Challenge
2019 Big Easy Challenge
WITB: Garrick Higgo
Garrick Higgo plays a full Titleist bag (driver, irons, wedges, putter) and Pro V1x golf ball.
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (9Ëš)
3-wood: Titleist TSi2 (15Ëš)
Hybrid: Titleist 816H2 (18Ëš)
Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Wedges: Vokey SM8 (46Ëš, 50Ëš, 54Ëš, 56Ëš)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X T5.5
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Hat: Titleist
Source: GolfWRX
