Tour

As the 2025 PGA Tour season unfolds, Justin Lower is establishing himself as a household name on the PGA TOUR. The 35-year-old from Akron, Ohio, achieved a remarkable milestone this weekend, securing a third-place finish at the prestigious American Express in La Quinta, California. Lower’s stellar performance at the tournament signals not just a personal triumph but also a clear indication of his rising status in the game of golf. The finish marks Lower’s third Top 5 finish on the PGA TOUR in his last five events. Lower ranks 18th in the 2025 Fed Ex Cup Standings, 74th in the Official World Golf Rankings and 52nd in the DataGolf World Rankings.

A Breakthrough Performance

Justin Lower’s third-place finish at the American Express came in the face of fierce competition from some of the best players in the world. The tournament, which traditionally attracts a strong field, saw Lower finish just behind the winner and runner-up, demonstrating his consistent form and maturity under pressure.

Over the course of the event, Lower showcased an all-around game that blended steady ball striking with an increasingly confident putting stroke. His final round was marked by crucial birdies on the back nine that helped him secure a spot near the top of the leaderboard. Despite not capturing the title, his performance in a star-studded field has many pundits and fans alike touting him as a player to watch in 2025.

A Journey of Perseverance

Lower’s journey to prominence has not been a traditional one. He turned pro in 2011 but spent years grinding through the mini-tours, including the Korn Ferry Tour, before earning his PGA Tour card in 2021. His resilience and determination have been key to his rise. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Lower’s career has been more about steady progression than immediate stardom, which has helped him develop a well-rounded game built on patience and preparation.

In 2021, Lower secured his PGA Tour card by finishing inside the top 25 at the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, but it wasn’t until 2023 that he started to make a noticeable impact on the Tour. A string of top-10 finishes last season helped solidify his place among the Tour’s rising stars, and the 2025 season now seems like the breakout year he’s been working towards.

What’s Behind Lower’s Success?

Several factors have contributed to Justin Lower’s surge up the leaderboard. First and foremost is his mental toughness. Golf at the highest level requires not only physical skill but a strong, focused mindset, and Lower has displayed an ability to remain composed in the most challenging situations. His calm demeanor has been key to his ability to stay in contention, even when the pressure ramps up in big events like the American Express.

Another aspect of Lower’s game that has come to the forefront is his short game. Known for his solid wedge play and exceptional putting, Lower has been able to navigate difficult course conditions and capitalize on scoring opportunities, even when the rest of the field is faltering.

Additionally, his off-course work ethic is often cited by coaches and analysts as one of the main reasons for his continued improvement. Lower spends hours on the practice range and in the gym, focusing on his physical fitness and mental preparation. This commitment has allowed him to withstand the grueling demands of the PGA Tour and continually evolve his game.

The Future Looks Bright

While this third-place finish at the American Express marks a high point in Lower’s career so far, the expectation is that it’s only the beginning. Lower’s game continues to evolve, and with his newfound confidence and experience, many believe a win on the PGA Tour is not far off. He has the consistency, discipline, and mental fortitude required to compete at the highest level, and with each strong finish, his reputation grows.

Moreover, Lower’s performance at the American Express has earned him respect from his peers. Players often talk about the difficulty of breaking through on the PGA Tour, and to see someone like Lower—who has worked his way up from relative obscurity—achieve such a high finish is inspiring for many.

As the 2025 season progresses, Lower is poised to continue making noise on the PGA Tour. Whether it’s at upcoming events like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am or The Players Championship, Lower is positioning himself as a legitimate contender, one whose name will likely become synonymous with success in the coming years.

Hank Lebioda earned his first Korn Ferry Tour title Wednesday at The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island, outlasting S.H. Kim with a birdie on the first playoff hole at The Ocean Course at Atlantis in the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour season opener.

Lebioda, 31, earned his first Korn Ferry Tour title in his 62nd start. The Florida State alum played the PGA TOUR full-time from 2019 to 2023; he made 120 starts before losing his card and returning to the Korn Ferry Tour, from which he first graduated in 2018.

Lebioda carded a four-round total of 18-under 262 in the Bahamas, including a final-round, 4-under 66 to overcome a four-stroke deficit to 54-hole leader John VanDerLaan, who closed in 6-over 76 for a T9 finish. Kim, who played the last two seasons on the PGA TOUR, shot a final-round 63 to make up a seven-stroke deficit and earn his spot in the playoff. Lebioda stuffed a pitching wedge to a foot for a kick-in winning birdie on the first playoff hole, the 483-yard, par-4 18th, while Kim missed a 30-foot birdie try from the green’s back-right portion.

Hank Lebioda’s interview after winning The Bahamas Golf Classic

Last season, Lebioda finished No. 75 on the season-long Korn Ferry Tour Points List to narrowly retain full status for this season. He won’t have to sweat that bubble in 2025; he can turn his attention to a PGA TOUR return via the top 20 on the season-long standings (down from 30 cards a year ago).

“It’s exciting,” said an emotional Lebioda afterward. “It will sink in in a couple days, but happy to talk to my family.”

Lebioda, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease as a college freshman in 2012, has always demonstrated a fighting spirit in his professional golf pursuits. He did the same in the Bahamas.

Charting the champion (stats updated through tournament)

Category	Hank Lebioda
Age	31 years, 0 months, 1 day
2025 Korn Ferry Tour Points List	No. 1
Starts – wins – top-10s on Korn Ferry Tour in 2025	1-1-1
Starts – wins – top-10s in Korn Ferry Tour career	62-1-6
2024 Korn Ferry Tour Points List	No. 75
Starts – wins – top-10s on Korn Ferry Tour in 2024	24-0-1
Starts – wins – top-10s at The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island	3-1-2

Hank Lebioda (first/-18)

• Claims his first Korn Ferry Tour victory in what was his 62nd career start on Tour
• Entered the final round four strokes behind 54-hole leader John VanDerLaan, closes in 4-under 66 to overcome the deficit and defeat S.H. Kim with a birdie on the first hole in a sudden-death playoff (par-4 18th)
• Matches the best come-from-behind win at The Bahamas Golf Classic (four strokes/Chandler Phillips/2023)
• At 18-under 262, breaks the 72-hole tournament scoring record previously established by Zecheng Dou (270/2019)
• Marks his second top-10 in three career appearances at The Bahamas Golf Classic (T9/2018)
• Matched his career-low round on Tour with an 8-under 62 in the second round (previous: 2018 UNC Health Championship presented by STITCH/Round 2)
• Finished No. 75 on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour Points List to earn fully exempt membership for the 2025 season; he played the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour season with conditional status from his Nos. 151-200 finish (No. 182) in the 2023 FedExCup Fall standings
• Previously maintained PGA TOUR membership from the 2018-19 season through the end of the 2022-23 season, and qualified for the 2021 FedExCup Playoffs
• Secured his PGA TOUR card for the 2018-19 season via the 2018 Korn Ferry Tour standings
• Winner of the 2017 Quebec Open powered by Videotron Business on PGA TOUR Canada
• Played collegiately at Florida State University (2012-16), where he was a four-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, 2013 ACC Freshman of the Year and 2016 ACC Player of the Year

Story written and published by PGATOUR.com

Justin Lower: 2025 PGA Tour Season Preview

As we look ahead to the 2025 PGA Tour season, one golfer who will be under the spotlight is Justin Lower, the Ohio native who has steadily built a reputation for his consistency and resilience in the world of professional golf. After a breakout 2023 season and a career best season in 2024, Lower has established himself as a reliable contender on the PGA Tour. Now, as he enters his fourth full season, expectations are higher than ever Lower and many are curious to see how he will continue to evolve as a golfer in 2025.

A Recap of Justin Lower’s Rise on the PGA Tour

Before diving into what 2025 holds for Lower, it’s important to understand how he got to this point. Born in 1989 in Akron, Ohio, Justin Lower’s journey to the PGA Tour wasn’t one of instant success. He played collegiately at Malone University, a small school in Ohio, before embarking on a professional career that would take him through the Web.com Tour (now the Korn Ferry Tour) and ultimately to the PGA Tour.

Lower’s rise has been marked by steady improvement. After earning his PGA Tour card through a successful stint on the Korn Ferry Tour, where he secured multiple top-10 finishes, Lower made his debut on the PGA Tour in 2022. However, it was during the 2023 season that he truly made his mark, earning his first top-10 finish in a PGA Tour event and showing flashes of brilliance in various tournaments. He built on that momentum throughout 2024, showing that he was no fluke and that his game was capable of holding up on the big stage.

Key Strengths and Areas for Improvement

Heading into 2025, Lower’s game has evolved into a blend of consistency and reliability. A few key aspects of his game stand out:

• Ball Striking: Lower’s iron play is one of his standout attributes. His approach game is solid, consistently placing him in contention by giving himself chances to attack flags and make birdies.
• Short Game: One area of improvement Lower has focused on over the past few years is his short game, particularly around the greens. His putting has improved, and he’s shown that he can be clutch when it matters most.
• Mental Toughness: Lower’s ability to stay focused and manage the mental aspects of the game has been a hallmark of his ascent. He doesn’t seem rattled by pressure, which has enabled him to perform well under tournament conditions.

What to Expect in the 2025 PGA Tour Season

As Lower enters the 2025 season, several key factors will shape his performance:

1. Increased Confidence and Expectations: After a promising start to his PGA Tour career, Lower will be looking to continue progressing and build on his 2024 performances. With more eyes on him, he’ll likely face greater expectations, but the steady progress he’s made suggests he can handle the pressure.
2. Major Tournament Performance: In 2025, Lower will no doubt target improved performances in the majors—the Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship, and PGA Championship. While he has yet to make a deep run in one of these events, he has the talent to break through if he continues to improve his overall game. The mental toughness he’s shown in regular tour events could help him rise to the occasion in these prestigious tournaments.
3. Consistency in Regular PGA Tour Events: Lower’s focus will likely be on maintaining consistent finishes in weekly tournaments. He will need to refine his ability to contend on difficult courses, particularly during the tougher stretches of the season. If he can sustain his form throughout the year, it will help him secure a spot in the FedEx Cup Playoffs and perhaps make a run at earning a place in the Top 30 in the standings.
4. Incorporating New Technology: Like many modern professionals, Lower may look to improve his game with the latest technology, whether it’s advancements in equipment, biomechanics, or data analytics. If he can use these tools to his advantage, it could give him an edge over the competition.

Key Tournaments to Watch in 2025

A few tournaments stand out as ones that could be pivotal for Justin Lower in the 2025 season:

• The Players Championship: As one of the most coveted titles in golf, winning or even contending at The Players Championship could be a major milestone for Lower. His solid ball striking could give him an advantage on the TPC Sawgrass course.
• U.S. Open: Lower has the game to perform well in major championship settings, and the U.S. Open’s demanding conditions could suit his style. His consistency off the tee and improving short game will be key here.
• The Memorial Tournament: Hosted at Muirfield Village in Ohio, this tournament has a special place for Lower, given his Ohio roots. Performing well in front of a home crowd could provide the boost he needs for a standout season.
• FedEx Cup Playoffs: Making a deep run in the playoffs is a key goal for Lower in 2025. A strong performance here would not only elevate his status but also bring with it significant rewards in terms of sponsorships and career momentum.

Looking Ahead

If 2024 was any indication, Justin Lower’s trajectory is one of steady growth. As he enters his third full season on the PGA Tour in 2025, it’s clear that he has the talent and mental fortitude to compete at the highest level. Whether he can break through with a win or a top finish in a major remains to be seen, but his consistency and determination suggest that the best is yet to come.

As fans and analysts look forward to the 2025 season, Justin Lower’s name will surely be on their radar, as he looks to solidify his place among the game’s rising stars.

Amanda Doherty recently earned back her LPGA Tour status for the 2025 season after a standout performance on the Epson Tour, which is the LPGA’s developmental tour. Her comeback story is inspiring, as she had previously lost her LPGA card had to regain her status by finishing strong on the second-tier circuit.

In 2024, Doherty showed significant improvement in her game, particularly with her consistency and ability to close out tournaments. She took part in the LPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament (Q-School) and finished among the top players, securing a spot on the Tour for 2025. This is a huge achievement for her, as it demonstrates her resilience and determination to return to the highest level of professional golf.

Doherty’s journey reflects the challenges and opportunities in professional golf, where players must continuously prove themselves. Earning her LPGA card back is not only a personal triumph for her but also a testament to her skill and hard work, making her a player to watch in the upcoming season.

Arcis Golf — the second largest and fastest-growing owner and operator of private, resort, and daily fee clubs in the United States — has announced that Maisie Filler, a recent graduate of University of Florida where she enjoyed a stellar collegiate career, has become an Arcis Golf Ambassador.

While at Florida, Filler, 23, was a second team All-American, an All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection, and four-time SEC Golfer of the Week. In addition, the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, resident captured three stroke-play tournaments, including the Tar Heel Invitational, where she fired a season- and team-best round of 64. Earlier this year, she won the 91st Jones/Doherty Women’s Amateur, one of the country’s longest running and most storied tournaments for up-and-coming female golfers. Filler was member of Team USA at the 2024 Arnold Palmer Cup.

Filler qualified for her first U.S. Women’s Open in June, advanced to the Round of 16 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Southern Hills Country Club in August and reached 34th in the World Amateur Women’s Golf Rankings. She is pursuing her dream of playing professional golf by competing in tournaments and practicing for LPGA 2025 qualifying events.

“Maisie embodies everything we admire about the game of golf,” said Blake Walker, Founder and CEO of Arcis Golf. “At her young age, Maisie has a wonderful grasp of how hard work and discipline translate into success on and off the course.”

In her Arcis Golf Ambassador role, Filler will sport the company’s logo on headwear and make special appearances at member and community events, participate in social media content creation, support Arcis’ inclusion and accessibility initiatives, as well as help mentor junior members or programs that engage youth and beginner golfers.

Arcis Golf is committed to diversifying and providing access to the game, highlighted by its wide-ranging initiatives:

• TPC River’s Bend, an Arcis Golf course near Cincinnati, Ohio, recently hosted the LPGA’s Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G, on Sept. 19-22.
• Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, Ga. hosts the first two rounds of the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA), where Filler has participated twice. At the 2024 event, she shot an opening-round 68 en route to a T8 finish.
• The company is the presenting sponsor of the Women In Golf Foundation, Inc. (WIGF) and its National Women’s Collegiate Golf Championship. The 2024 edition was held in April at The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch, an Arcis Golf facility in Katy, Texas.
• Earlier this year, the inaugural Arcis HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Collegiate Golf Championship was held at The Club at Weston Hills, an Arcis Golf facility in Weston, Florida. The event showcased 16 HBCU men’s and women’s golf teams in three rounds of competition. Arcis also provides ongoing access for HBCU golfers to practice and hone their skills at nearly 70 clubs across the country.

“After meeting Mr. Walker at this year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur, I was very inspired by Arcis Golf’s vision and commitment,” Filler said. “Partnering with a company that not only supports women’s golf but also actively works to expand opportunities and access for women in sports is truly gratifying.” She added, “As I embark on my professional career, I am incredibly thankful for the support of Arcis, which will undoubtedly play a crucial role in helping me achieve my goals and realize my full potential in the game.”

Filler maintains an active social media presence via her Instagram account. She joins Arcis Golf Ambassador, LPGA professional Lilia Vu, currently No. 2 in the Women’s World Golf Rankings.

An industry leader in providing inventive programming and unrivaled lifestyle amenities that complement exceptional golf offerings, Arcis Golf has invested more than $100 million in the past four years on property upgrades, new amenities, personnel, training, and systems to create extraordinary experiences and forge emotional connections with members and guests.

To learn more about Arcis Golf, visit arcisgolf.com.

# # #

About Arcis Golf

Arcis Golf is the premier operator of approximately 70 public and private golf clubs in the United States and an industry leader, providing dynamic direction and unrivaled amenities that complement diverse playing experiences. Arcis Golf properties enhance the golf and country club lifestyle to a level of excellence designed to exceed the needs and expectations of family, friends, co-workers, and guests of all ages.

Arcis Golf is also known for innovative management, with a best-in-class leadership team that is reinventing the modern club experience, making it more relevant to the lifestyles of today’s consumers. The company is committed to enhancing service levels, amenities, and programming to broaden the appeal for members and guests at all its properties. Headquarters: 8343 Douglas Ave, Suite 200, Dallas, Texas 75225. Phone: (214) 722-6000. Website: arcisgolf.com

Davis Chatfield caught fire in the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour’s NV5 Invitational on Sunday, carding a final round 64 to finish in a tie for third place. The former Rhode Island Amateur champ finished the tournament at 22-under par, three shots behind winner Thomas Rosenmueller. 

The top three finish has Chatfield projected to go from 40th to 33rd on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List. 

The top 30 at the end of the season get PGA Tour Cards. 

Starting the final round inside the top 20, Chatfield lit up the front side to give himself a chance. He opened with a birdie on the par-5 first hole by draining an 11 footer. Chatfield dropped a nine-footer for birdie on the third hole to get to two under par on the round. On the par-5 fifth hole, Chatfield stuck his third shot right next to the flag and had a tap in birdie putt to move him to three-under on the day. The former Notre Dame star would add birdies on the seventh and ninth holes to turn at a bogey-free five-under par. Chatfield made his first and only bogey of the day on the par-3 11th hole when he put his tee shot in the bunker on the left. 

However, he bounced back. 

On the 13th, Chatfield put his second shot to two-feet and tapped in for birdie.  After a clutch par save on 14, Chatfield’s putter was hot again on 15 where he knocked in a 21 footer for birdie to get to six-under for the day.  

He made par on both the 16th and 17th holes, taking him to the par-5 18th hole where an eagle would have tied him for the lead – at least temporarily.  Chatfield put his tee shot in the right rough and had to lay up on the left side of the fairway, not wanting to take on the water. 

He his his third shot to 11 feet and made the putt for birdie to get to 22-under par. 

Story written by and for GolfNewsRI.com

Davis Chatfield has been the epitome of consistency during the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour season, only missing 2 cuts out of the 13 tournaments he has played in.  

In the 11 tournaments that Chatfield had made the cut in, his best finish was tied for 11^th at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic held in January. That all changed this past week as Chatfield fired rounds of 66-65-66-68 to finish at 15 under par, good enough for a T6 finish. Last week’s tournament was the highest finish of Chatfield’s KFT career.  

Due to his high finish, Chatfield moved from 70^th to 47^th on the season long Korn Ferry Tour Points List. If Chatfield was to finish within the Top 30 on the points list, he would receive his PGA Tour card for the 2025 season.  

This is Chatfield’s second season on KFT. He turned professional in 2022 following a standout career at Notre Dame University where he was a constant figure in their lineup during his 5 years. Additionally, Chatfield excelled in back-to-back years at the United States Amateur Championship. In 2020, Chatfield advanced to the Round of 16 at the famous Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. The following year, Chatfield improved on his finish by making it to the Quarterfinals at the infamously challenging Oakmont Country Club. 

Justin Lower is defined more by triumph than tragedy, but Father’s Day brings the void into the conscious mind. His life’s emotional extremes intersected at this week’s U.S. Open – he’d wish for nothing more than his late dad and brother to be here, but he’s here with his wife and daughter, and he fulfilled a dream of playing a Sunday in a major.

Lower, 35, has seen emotional extremes in his golf career as well; he once missed a TOUR card by a shot before getting his card with zero shots to spare. It’s heavy stuff but the Ohioan sees the big picture, living in the moment but allowing past experiences to fuel him. Those traits led him to fulfill a dream Sunday at the U.S. Open, where he carded a final-round 70 at Pinehurst No. 2 in his first career major start, a meaningful effort after grinding to make the cut on the number (5-over) and a bounce-back from a third-round 74. He won’t contend for the title, but the leaderboard is back-of-mind. No, this week was about validation and pride.

Lower does, though, wish his dad and brother were still here. Fathers and sons are at the core of golf, and of the U.S. Open, its final round occurring on Father’s Day. Lower’s dad Tim and brother Chris died in a 2005 car crash, when Lower was 15 years old, striving to play professional golf but knowing it was far from a sure thing. He worked tirelessly to find extra edges and improve bit by bit, playing collegiately at Malone University (winning 2010 NAIA Player of the Year) and spending a decade across mini-tours and the Korn Ferry Tour before dramatically earning his first TOUR card in 2021. He made it, and now he made it here.

“It’s been cool,” Lower said afterward. “Today was obviously cool, just being Father’s Day … With my past and with my life now, being a dad, it’s just really cool to play on this day for sure.

“I think (my dad) would have been happy the way I handled myself this week. I usually get pretty fired up throughout the week if I make mistakes and whatnot, but I told myself this week, it’s obviously going to be hard … just accept it and move on. I wish I could be like that every week; I think I’d be in a lot better shape. I think (my dad) would be happy, for sure.”

Lower wore a bracelet Sunday inscribed with his daughter’s name, Ariana Lynn. She’s 18 months old now, and Lower’s motivations at this stage of life are multiple – being a good husband to wife Janise, a good dad and a good professional golfer. He wants to fulfill his career dreams but not at the expense of those around him, a delicate balance that he keeps top-of-mind through the game’s inevitable ups and downs.

Lower has often spoken of golf’s fine line, which he epitomized in his path to the PGA TOUR – missing an 8-foot birdie that would have secured his card via the 2018 Korn Ferry Tour Finals, then getting up and down on the final hole of the 2021 Korn Ferry Tour Championship to finally earn his card. His first U.S. Open experience followed the same patterns – he earned his spot at Final Qualifying in Columbus, Ohio, one stroke clear of a playoff, then made the cut on the number (5-over) with rounds of 72-73 at Pinehurst No. 2.

After a third-round 74, he stood T58 into Sunday’s final round in the Carolina Sandhills. It’s not always easy to get fired up for an early final-round start, from well back in the pack, but this day was different. Lower was motivated to post a good score to conclude his first major – these opportunities are fickle, he knew. (He rarely attempted U.S. Open qualifying as a Korn Ferry Tour member, as he didn’t want to surrender points toward a TOUR card – the Korn Ferry Tour has since added a provision for equivalent FedExCup points earned at the U.S. Open to cross over to the Korn Ferry Tour Points List.) He doesn’t take TOUR life for granted; he has seen one of his closest friends on TOUR, Jim Knous, recently depart from the pro game to take a full-time “normal” job with PING. He misses Knous out here, he said this week. He knows nothing is given in the cutthroat world of professional golf, with hundreds of players separated by fractional margins.

Hence it’s important to contextualize the achievements. A pro career builds toward memories like a U.S. Open Sunday, and Lower punctuated it with a 45-foot birdie at the long par-4 16th and two solid closing pars.

“The first round, the first tee shot, I got a little bit emotional, just thinking about it all, and then the first tee shot today,” Lower said. “First Sunday tee shot at the U.S. Open, yeah, it’s pretty cool. I just wish my dad and my brother as well, that they were here to see it.

“It’s in the past, but it still would be nice to have them here.”

Ariana Lynn Lower isn’t yet ready to walk the course – TOUR daycare is a nice perk – but she’ll hear the stories of this Sunday at Pinehurst where her dad carded one of the day’s low scores in a major championship that was a lifetime in the making. It was for her, and it was for her late grandpa.

Original Story Written and Posted by Kevin Prise on the PGA TOUR Website HERE

Cole Anderson, a Camden, ME native, has signed with Fidelity Sports Group for exclusive representation as he embarks on his professional golf career. Anderson will make his professional debut from June 10-14 at PGA TOUR Americas Qualifying School in Courtenay, BC, Canada.  

Anderson enjoyed a stellar amateur career at Florida State University and beyond where he was a constant fixture in their line-up all 5 years. Anderson was named an All-American, All-ACC, and PING All-Region in 2023 due to his career year which saw his lowest scoring average as a Seminole (70.62). Anderson was ranked as high as 37^th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) due to his stellar play during his 4^th year of school. Outside of golf, Anderson was a four-time ACC Academic Honor Roll member 

In 2022, as a redshirt sophomore, Anderson received a sponsor’s invitation to play in a Korn Ferry Tour Event in his home state of Maine. In his first professional rounds, Anderson shot back-to-back 67’s to firmly place himself within the cutline. During the third round, Anderson shot a bogey-free 64 to go into the final round tied for the lead. After solid play on Sunday, Anderson finished tied for 3^rd as an amateur in his first professional tournament.

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As a Maine Native, Anderson quickly became a household name in the golf world up north. In 2019, Anderson won the 100^th Maine Amateur joining an exclusive list of players. However, the following year, Anderson further added to his list of accomplishments by winning the 101st Maine Amateur becoming one of a select few players to win multiple Maine Amateur Championships.

Maisie Filler has recently signed with FSG for exclusive and worldwide representation as she readies to turn professional. Filler will remain an amateur this summer and compete in the most premier tournaments on the Amateur circuit, including the Arnold Palmer Cup, the US Amateur, and hopefully the Curtis Cup. Filler also succesfully qualified for the 2024 US Women’s Open. 

During her senior season in 2024. Filler reached the Number 1 ranking in the NCAA for Women’s golf.  Filler dominated her collegiate schedule winning 3 straight stroke play tournaments becoming just the 8^th Florida Gator to win 3 or more tournaments in a season. Due to these impressive results during her final year, Filler would be named First Team All-SEC and a WGCA Second Team All-American.

Formerly the 7^th ranked amateur in the world, Heath has signed with Fidelity Sports Group for exclusive representation as she embarks on her professional golf journey. To help start her career, FSG has lined up a partnership with Cobra/Puma for all her clubs/apparel on the course. 

Charlotte Heath is set to start her professional career on the Epson Tour at the Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship in Battle Creek, Michigan. This will start a stretch of 4 weeks on the road for Charlotte as she begins a new chapter of her golf career. 

During her storied amateur and collegiate career, Charlotte enjoyed great success on and off the course. In addition to reaching the top 10 in World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), Charlotte was a 4 time All-American at Florida State University. She also finished inside the Top 5 in career scoring average (72.32) by a Florida State women’s golfer. Heath played in the 2023 Women’s British Open, where she received the Smyth Salver Award for finishing as the low amateur in the major championship. Additionally, Heath won the Australian Women’s Amateur in 2020, and played on two Curtis Cup Teams (2021 & 2022). Off the course, Heath was a standout student where she was named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2023.

Justin Lower keeps grinding, and now it’s getting him somewhere.

Lower, Stark County’s rooting interest on the PGA Tour, is among a handful of players to have played five events and made all five cuts in 2024.

On Sunday, the former Northwest High School and Malone University golfer who lives in Green logged his first top-three finish on the Tour.

Playing in the Mexican Open on a resort course near the Pacific Ocean, Lower shot 14-under par to tie for third place, trailing only Jake Knapp of the United States (19-under) and Sami Valamaki of Finland (17-under).

On No. 18 Sunday in Nuevo Vallarta, Lower came close to having an eagle putt that could have put him at 16-under. His 247-yard second shot rolled past the flag and into the rough. He chipped to 8 feet and putted to within 9 inches, tapping in for par.

A birdie would have left Lower alone in third place for a $558,900 payout. Tying Stephan Jaeger and C.T. Pan for third dropped his winnings to $429,300, but that’s life on Tour.

He wouldn’t have finished so high without such moments as a 52-foot birdie putt on a water hole on the second day of the tournament. He birdied No. 14 and No. 15 in his last round to set up the third-place tie.

The 34-year-old Lower’s best previous Tour finish was a tie for fourth at the Fortinet Championship in mid-September 2022. This is his third season on Tour after a long battle to get there.

He didn’t even play in the 2023 Mexican Open, two months after his wife, Janise, gave birth to their first child.

The 2024 trip to Mexico proved fortuitous, especially after he finished his third-round pairing with Tony Finau. He shot 5-under 66 to Finau’s 69 and finished the tournament three shots ahead of Finau, who won the event in 2023 in a duel with Jon Rahm.

Making a cut can be a limited satisfaction.

In the Hawaiian Open in January, for example, Lower made the cut with no room to spare. He then was so-so in the final two rounds and finished in a tie for 74th place at 1-under par, leaving Honolulu with a check for $16,019. Grayson Murray won the tournament at 17-under and walked away with $1.5 million.

In his next three tournaments, Lower tied for 39th ($34,020), tied for 43rd ($28,530), and tied for 53rd ($20,529).

Continuing to make cuts keeps a guy in the hunt for real money.

In four events since the Hawaiian Open, Lower has made all four cuts and earned $512,379. Hawaiian champion Murray has missed three of four cuts and won $35,313.

Lower pushed himself with a busy schedule last year and is at it again. He played tournaments in Hawaii, California (two), Phoenix and Mexico within the last seven weeks. He is back at it this week at a tournament in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, headlined by Rory McIlroy.

Packing the schedule equates to survival, chasing the FedEx Cup points necessary to stay on Tour. Lower is in his third season since earning a Tour card.

He was running on fumes last July when he missed a cut in an event at Tahoe Mountain Country Club in California.

“I probably should have skipped that one, in hindsight,” he told The Repository late last year. “I wasn’t really listening to my body. I needed some rest.”

Lower caught some rest late in the year and finished strong, ending the 2022-23 season at No. 100 in the rankings used to determine Tour eligibility.

The revised PGA Tour format has the current season confined to calendar year 2024. Lower’s third place in Mexico vaulted him to No. 57 in the rankings.

Making the cut is a big deal to golfers fighting to establish turf. In the Mexican Open, 65 players made the cut; 67 did not. Tying for third place from that crowd stands as a milestone in Lower’s career thus far.

Lower has spoken of bigger goals than just making cuts, including winning reaching The Masters and other major tournaments.

Original Story Written and Posted By Canton Rep Here

The third annual NEPA Invitational, hosted by PGA Tour player Brandon Matthews, unfolded at the picturesque Country Club of Scranton. This charity pro-am golf event attracted current and former PGA Tour pros, amateurs, and supporters, all united by a shared mission: to raise funds for the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, and Jack Nicklaus’ Play Yellow Campaign benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network. Signature partners for the event included Equitrans Midstream, Diaz Companies and Rutter’s.

The festivities began Friday evening for Dinner with the Pros, graced by the presence of pediatric patient ambassadors from the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital and Foundation.. It was a heartwarming occasion, setting the tone for a weekend filled with camaraderie and compassion.

One of the highlights of this exceptional evening was the Live Auction, where guests had the opportunity to bid on exclusive items, with all proceeds benefiting the hospital. The NEPA Invitational proudly announced a remarkable donation of $200,000 to the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, raised through sponsors, tournament participants, live auction, and donations, a testament to the event’s unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the communities of Northeast Pennsylvania

The NEPA Invitational proudly supported the “Play Yellow” program, a noble initiative of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, founded by the legendary Jack and Barbara Nicklaus. This program aligns perfectly with the event’s core values of giving back and making a difference in the lives of children facing health challenges.

“Expanding this event and witnessing its transformative impact on the children of Janet Weis Children’s Hospital has been an incredible privilege. We’re profoundly grateful for the opportunity to make a difference” said event host and PGA TOUR player Brandon Matthews, “On behalf of the entire NEPA Invitational board, my wife and I, and the Country Club of Scranton, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the growth and success of this event year after year. Looking ahead, we’re excited to further expand our contributions, nurture the growth of this event, and continue to showcase the remarkable spirit of North East Pennsylvania as a community. Together, we’ll make a lasting impact and ensure that this region remains a beacon of hope and support.”

The event attracted a stellar lineup of golfing talent, with current and former PGA Tour pros including Brandon Matthews, Ben Griffin, Tano Goya, Eric Barnes, Ted Tryba, Fran Quinn, Andrew Novak, Brad Adamonis, and Rick Lamb. Their participation not only showcased their exceptional skills but also their dedication to the cause.

While the  relentless Tropical Storm Ophelia, brought torrential downpours and unrelenting winds to the region, the pros and supporting amateurs persevered for the two day tournament at Country Club of Scranton.. Their determination mirrored the spirit of the event itself – undeterred by adversity, resolute in their mission to support the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital.

Congratulations to Andrew Novak for winning the Lowro honors and Michael Miller and Michael Vassil for winning the Pro-Am Format..

This remarkable event marked the third annual NEPA Invitational, solidifying its place as a beloved tradition that unites the community in support of a noble cause. In total, the NEPA Invitational has donated $350,000 in three years in partnership with the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

The NEPA Invitational is a celebration of resilience, generosity, and the enduring spirit of the community. It reaffirms the power of coming together to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

PGA Tour player and proud native of North East Pennsylvania, Brandon Matthews, continues to be deeply honored to host this event annually and give back to his community.

When Davis Lamb was hot this year, he was real hot.

Lamb, a Notre Dame alum, won the ATB Classic after getting into the field as a Monday Qualifier. He also captured the Quebec Open powered by Videotron Business the very next week, becoming the first golfer on PGA TOUR Canada to win back-to-back events since Tyler McCumber in 2018.

Lamb fired a sizzing Sunday 64 at the Fortinet Cup Championship for his sixth top-25 finish in eight events this season.

By virtue of finishing third on the Fortinet Cup standings, Lamb’s conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour next season is elevated to the first conditional category (subject to the first reshuffle). He is also exempt into the Final Stage of PGA TOUR Qualifying School.

The day after he turned 57, Tim Petrovic turned around his 2023 season.

He said there was no panic when he arrived in Calgary earlier in August for the PGA TOUR Champions Shaw Charity Classic. No, his results so far this year hadn’t been great, but he never felt like he was hitting it poorly. He felt like he was hitting it in practice sessions as well as he maybe ever had. It just hadn’t translated to the course.

Petrovic already had made a call to a sports psychologist two weeks before the Shaw Charity Classic. He’d had only one top-25 finish on the season to date – a tie for fourth at the Principal Charity Classic in Des Moines, Iowa, at the beginning of June.

He said the psychologist told him something he never expected to hear.

“He told me a couple of things that clicked and took a little weight off my back,” Petrovic said Tuesday while driving his RV to St. Louis, Missouri, for next week’s Ascension Charity Classic. “He told me I was trying to be too perfect. He just told me you have to give yourself permission to play badly.

“That’s not what I thought he was gonna tell me,” added Petrovic, who’s planning to drop his RV in St. Louis, fly home to Austin, Texas, and fly back to St. Louis next week. “He was just saying, ‘Don’t try to control the whole situation. You’re a good player. It’s gonna work itself out. You’ll play your way through it.’”

Petrovic celebrated his birthday, which is Aug. 16, the day before the Shaw Charity Classic began and promptly went out and shot his lowest round of the year by three strokes, posting an 8-under 62. It gave him the first-round lead, and it was a lead he wouldn’t relinquish until late on Sunday.

Petrovic, who has yet to win in 145 Champions Tour starts, admits he didn’t finish the Shaw Charity Classic like he intended. He ended up in a tie for second behind eventual champion Ken Duke, who picked up his first Champions Tour win in 100 starts. Still, it was Petrovic’s best finish since the 2022 Chubb Classic, and it gave him a huge boost of confidence. He carried the belief over to last week at The Ally Challenge outside Detroit.

Petrovic fired a final-round 66 at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club to move from off the pace into a tie for third. It meant that since the beginning of June, he now had three top-five finishes and had rocketed from 70th in the Charles Schwab Cup Money standings to a tidy 32nd. The top 36 in the standings advance to play in the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix, which Petrovic hasn’t missed since 2017.

“Petro,” as he’s commonly known by his Champions Tour peers, has never had a season like 2023. He’s usually more consistent. He had managed at least a top-25 finish in half of his tournaments from 2018 through 2022. This year, his three top-five finishes are his only top-25s through 19 events.

Petrovic mostly blames a “tennis elbow” for his woes. He said it started before the U.S. Senior Open and that he aggravated it at The Senior Open Championship because of the high, thick rough. He labeled it the only serious injury he’s had to deal with since turning 50.

He’s been on the mend since. He also picked up a new caddie before the Boeing Classic outside Seattle, which was the tournament right before the Shaw Charity Classic. Kyle Kolenda is a veteran caddie who’s worked for several pros on the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions.

“Sometimes a new caddie, a new dynamic, can change things around,” Petrovic said. “I was bouncing around among a few caddies, but I think I have a guy I’m gonna keep for the rest of the year.

“I said I’d give him two or three events and we’ll go from there. He’s learning me and I’m learning him. He got to see some good golf. He said he enjoyed staying out of the way and just watching the show. It’s important for a caddie to know when to say something and when not to say something. That’s been a big part of it.”

Petrovic isn’t sure what it will take to win, only that he’s eager to get one under his belt. But he said he still was happy for Duke.

“We’re good friends,” Petrovic said. “We had a lot of fun chit-chatting during the round, but nobody said anything the last two holes. That was business time, and we knew one of us was gonna win it.

“It came down to a layup (on the par-5 18th). I laid it up in the rough and left myself in a tough spot. There was a 1-in-50 chance to get it close. I played it left just to give myself a chance. Thirty feet is better than not having a chance at it or hitting it in the water or the bunker.”

Petrovic said it came down to execution. He didn’t do what he needed to do, while Duke laid up perfectly and hit a wedge below the hole to 6 feet. When Petrovic missed his long birdie putt, Duke knew his putt was for the win.

0:52

Ken Duke’s emotion-filled closing birdie to win at Shaw Charity

“What I was thinking, … I told him after. … I really like the guy,” Petrovic said. “If he makes the putt, I’m gonna be happy for him. If we have a playoff, great. If he makes it, great. I gave him a big hug, and I was really happy for him.”

Petrovic isn’t quite sure what it will take for him to get his first win, only that he’ll keep trying and believing it will happen.

“I feel really settled,” Petrovic said. “A buddy of mine said that the announcers said during the telecast (at the Shaw) that I looked really comfortable over the putter. That was a good observation.

“I wasn’t backing off shots. I backed off maybe only one or two the past two weeks. You’re not hearing the baby cry or the Port-a-Potty door slam or whatever. If you can just stay calm and you have a game plan, it’s just gonna happen.”

BROMONT, Québec— Three weeks ago Davis Lamb had to fight his way into the field. Now, after winning back-to-back events on PGA TOUR Canada, he’s one win away from automatic membership on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Lamb handled the bad weather that temporarily beset Golf Château Bromont on Sunday to shoot a 7-under 63 and win the Québec Open powered by Videotron Business. Lamb finished at 22-under 258, one shot ahead of David Kim, who fired a closing round of 62.

It’s been only two weeks since Lamb became the first Monday qualifier to win a PGA TOUR Canada event, which earned him exempt status for the rest of the season. This week, after the TOUR took a week off, he became the first back-to-back winner since Tyler McCumber in 2018. A third win this season means an instant promotion to the Korn Ferry Tour.

“I’ve just been trusting my game,” Lamb said. “I think both these courses (where he’s won) have suited me very well. It’s a premium hitting the fairway and controlling my spin into the greens. I didn’t overcomplicate things. I kind of took advantage when I had the opportunity and just made pars when I had to.”

Lamb, of Bethesda, Maryland, also took over first place in the Fortinet Cup standings. The winner of that season-long points race receives a $25,000 bonus and full status on the Korn Ferry Tour for 2024. He leads Canada’s Étienne Papineau by 407 points.

Lamb offset two bogeys on the front nine with five birdies and made the turn in 32. He added four more birdies on the finishing nine and two-putted for par on 18 for the victory.

“Foot on the gas all day,” Lamb said. “I knew nobody was going to stop chasing, so it was a matter of making as many birdies as I possibly could, waiting out the rain delay and coming out and making more birdies. It was a full sprint with a little stop in the middle, but it was a lot of fun.”

Kim, of Los Angeles, carded the fourth 62 on PGA TOUR Canada this season. He shot 32 on the front and finished with a 30 on the back, which included an eagle at the drivable par-4 15th hole and a birdie at 18.

Lamb was playing in the group behind Kim but was never sure of where he stood.

“I had no idea,” Lamb said. “I figured I was in the lead by at least one, and I thought it might be two, but I guess David birdied 18. I had 25 feet and two putts to win, and I thank God I did it because I wasn’t sure where I stood.”

Lamb is trying to remain focused on the task at hand, even though he is close to Korn Ferry Tour status.

“I don’t expect anything,” he said “I’m just going to go out there and keep playing my game, and if it happens, it happens. If you would have told me that I’m standing here after two wins under my belt and three weeks before I didn’t really have any status and any guaranteed starts, I would be shocked. It’s given me a tremendous amount of confidence, and I’m just excited to keep it rolling. We’ve got a long season ahead.”

Brian Richey of Lakeland, Florida, closed with a 65 and finished third, at 15-under 261. Carr Vernon of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, finished with a 63 and moved up three spots to finish four, at 17-under 263.

The low Canadian was Chris R. Wilson of Toronto. He closed with a 69 and took solo fifth (16-under 264).

Tied for sixth were Australian Jason Hong, Sam Choi of Malibu, California, and Derek Hitchner of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Key Information

Thirty Canadians entered this week’s Québec Open powered by Videotron Business, with 11 making the cut. Chris R. Wilson led the way with his fifth-place finish. Here are how all the Canadians fared, who completed 72 holes.

Tyler McCumber, son of 10-time PGA TOUR champion Mark McCumber, was the last back-to-back PGA TOUR Canada winner. He won the 2018 Osprey Valley Open by one stroke over Michael Gellerman and then, after the TOUR observed an off week, he won the Syncrude Oil Country Championship by two shots ahead of Ian Holt.

Anyone who wins three tournaments in a season earns an automatic promotion to the Korn Ferry Tour. The last player to do so was TylerMcCumber, in 2018. Dan McCarthy won four times in 2016. Those joining DavisLamb with two wins in a season are JoelDahmen (2014), C.T. Pan (2015), AaronWise (2016), PatrickNewcomb and KramerHickok (2017), JakeKnapp, PaulBarjon and TaylorPendrith (2019) and NoahGoodwin and WilBateman (2022).

Canadian Étienne Papineau, who has led the Fortinet Cup standings all season since his opening-week victory at the Royal Beach Victoria Open, shot a 63 Sunday and vaulted 18 spots to tie for 16th. Papineau, of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, dropped to second in the points standings.

Michael Blair and Brandon Lacasse, both of Quebec, made their sponsor’s exemptions pay off. Lacasse finished with a 67 and Blair closed with a 69, leaving the duo tied for 36th.

Because of a threatening weather forecast, officials pushed the starting times for the final rounds to earlier in the morning. Despite a one-hour, 40-minute suspension because of rain and lightning danger, the round resumed and ended with no further issue.

Quotable

“This is kind of like the grass I grew up putting on, which is a huge advantage at any golf course. I had a couple of great reads that I just kind of stood over and was confident and made a good stroke.” – Davis Lamb on his putting round

“It hadn’t been my best six, eight months leading up to these two events. (I) struggled a little bit with some swing stuff over the winter and, unfortunately, that led right into Q-school, where I played good enough to get a card but not good enough to guarantee any starts. But you know, I never quit.” – Davis Lamb

“It was kind of a relentless effort from my coaches to get my swing back to where it needed to be. And we’ve been building off momentum for a while now, although the results haven’t shown. I’m just glad it’s paying off now in a big way.” – Davis Lamb

Final-Round Weather: Mostly cloudy and warm. High of 27. Wind S at 5-7 kph. There was a one-hour, 40-minute rain and weather delay in the middle of the round.

Article originally written by and posted by PGATOUR.com

Justin Lower’s was in contention all week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

The PGA TOUR event is hosted at famed Detroit Golf Club, and Lower fired rounds of 68-65-67-69 to finish 8th place. It was his third Top 10 finish of the 2022-2023 season but his first of calendar year 2023.

After his second round 65, Justin met with the media

As he entered the final round inside the Top 10, Lower sported the DraftKings logo on the front of his hat for the final round’s television coverage and anticipation of large exposure.

SHERWOOD PARK, Alberta—Davis Lamb had to Monday qualify just to get into the field for this week’s ATB Classic. He had no idea that he was about to make history.

Lamb, of Bethesda, Maryland, shot a 2-under 70 Sunday to finish at 18-under 270 at Northern Bear Golf Course and become the first Monday qualifier to win on PGA TOUR Canada. After his first PGA TOUR-sanctioned win, Lamb is now exempt for the remainder of the season.

“It’s kind of surreal to be standing here right now,” Lamb said. “My game was in a good spot. I was ready to come up here and compete. But to start Monday morning, teeing off with kind of a play-well-or-go-home scenario, and to make it all the way to Sunday and be standing here … It’s pretty surreal.”

The Notre Dame graduate overcame two double bogeys on the front nine during a cool, windy day to beat Eric McCardle of Oak Harbor, Washington—another Monday qualifier—by two shots and Nicolo Galletti of Berkeley, California, by three.

“Today is about the hardest I’ve ever had to work on the golf course, so for it to pay off the way it did, it feels amazing,” Lamb said.

Lamb also moved into a tie for second place on the Fortinet Cup points list, 42 points behind leader Étienne Papineau.

Lamb shared the 54-hole lead with Eric Lilleboe after players completed the delayed third round Sunday morning. Dangerous weather conditions forced suspension of play Saturday and the fourth round’s weather didn’t really improve.

Lamb stumbled with his first double bogey of the day, on the par-5 sixth hole, and took another double on the par-4 ninth hole. But he somehow regained his momentum with an eagle at No. 10, a 540-yard par-5, and added three more birdies, the last coming on the par-3 17th that gave him a three-shot lead entering the 72nd hole.

“I doubled my sixth hole, hitting the ball in the trees, which you just can’t do out here, and then doubled No. 9 again,” Lamb said. “At that point I’m just hanging on for dear life. Luckily, I hit a good drive on 10, and I just told my caddie, ‘It’s time to hit a golf shot right now.’ And we did from 235 (yards) to about three feet, made eagle and from there we just played great coming in.”

Lamb said it was “easily the best golf shot I’ve hit in my entire life and to do it in that situation was amazing.”

The long birdie putt on the 17th hole certainly made it an easier finish for Lamb, who punctuated his win with an emphatic fist pump when the final putt dropped.

“It’s never done. I was still working hard,” Lamb said. “But to take a three-shot lead going into 18 was, in my mind, a can’t-lose scenario. I knew I was driving. I knew I could hit the green. So, to give myself a chance to win with a five-putt, it’s comfortable for me.”

McCardle had three birdies on the back nine but never got closer than a stroke. He shot 69 and finished at 15-under 273. Galletti also found himself in contention late in the round, recording his fifth birdie on No. 15, but a bogey on the 17th hole would see him finish with a 4-under 68 and in third.

Sudarshan Yellamarajuwas the low Canadian. He shot 66, the best round of the day, and finished fourth, at 13-under 275. He moved up 26 spots on the leaderboard the final day.

“I’m happy with the way I played today, especially under these conditions. I wouldn’t say anything clicked. I just feel like I did my job,” Yellamaraju said.

There was a four-way tie for fifth place, at 12-under 276—Canadian Noah Steele, Sam Choi of Malibu, California, Chase Sienkiewicz of Sacramento, California, and Australian Jack Trent.

Key Information

Fortinet Cup Standings
(Through ATB Classic)

Pos.	Player	Points
1	Étienne Papineau (Canada)	542
T2	John Pak (United States)	500
T2	Davis Lamb (United States)	500
4	Chris Korte (United States)	490
5	Connor Howe (United States)	339
6	Sam Choi (United States)	328
7	George Kneiser (United States)	302
8	Eric McCardle (United States)	300
9	Nicolo Galletti (United States)	248
10	Chase Sienkiewicz (United States)	176

Twenty-eight Canadians started this week at the ATB Classic. Ten made the cut, with Sudarshan Yellamaraju the low performer. Noah Steele was the only other player with a top-10 finish, a tie for fifth. Here are all the players’ results from those who played 72 holes:

Pos.	Player	Score
4	Sudarshan Yellamaraju	275 (13-under)
T5	Noah Steele	276 (12-under)
T13	Matthew Anderson	278 (10-under)
T16	A.J. Ewart	279 (9-under)
T30	Étienne Papineau	282 (6-under)
T40	Chris Crisologo	284 (4-under)
T47	Jared du Toit	286 (2-under)
T50	Aidan Goodfellow	287 (1-under)
T56	Jimmy Jones	289 (1-over)
62	Chris Wilson	294 (6-over)

Davis Lamb’s victory means he is exempt on PGA TOUR Canada for the rest of the 2023 season and for the first six events of the 2024 PGA TOUR Americas season. Lamb said he had received more than 100 congratulatory texts shortly after his win. “It’s going to be a while to get through all of those. I’ve a got an incredible support system behind me,” he said.

Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju, who lives in Toronto, finished with his third top 10 in 11 PGA TOUR Canada starts. He had missed the cut in the first two events.

Fortinet Cup points leader Etienne Papineau closed with a 2-over 74 and tied for 30th. Papineau remains in first place in the race for the $25,000 bonus prize that goes to the overall winner. The Quebec resident won the season-opening Royal Beach Victoria Open and has made the cut in each of the last two tournaments. John Pak missed the cut this week and is tied for second with DavisLamb.

Eric Lilleboe was tied for the fourth-round lead but skied to a 77 and wound up tied for ninth at 11-under. His triple bogey on the 13th hole, a 200-yard par-3, combined with Davis Lamb’s birdie, was a four-shot swing that gave Lamb the lead for keeps.

PGA TOUR Canada does not have a tournament next week. The circuit moves east on July 13-16 for the Quebec Open powered by Videotron Business.

Quotable

“I’ve never been in a position in a tournament like this to win. I’d say I proved to myself that I can make the shots I need to. But this week there was different kind of pressure.” – Davis Lamb

“There were times I found myself getting ahead of myself, whether in a good way or bad way. Coming down those last four or five holes, I was thinking about what it’s going to be like to win and all that. I had to snap myself back into it. But once that ball hit the green (at 18), I gave my caddie a huge fist bump. And it was just a lot of exhaling on the way up there.” – Davis Lamb

“I’ve played in 40 to 50-kilometer wind like this, even colder than this. Experience helps a little bit, but it’s not something that’s new. At the end of the day, you’ve got to play the shot in front of you no matter what the conditions are. Even if you’ve played it before or not, you’ve just got to do it.” – Sudarshan Yellamaraju

Final-Round Weather: Mostly cloudy and cool. High of 15. Wind variable at 35-45 kph, with gusts to 51 kph.

Story Originally Written and Posted by PGATOUR.com

I held the solo lead after two rounds of the 2016 Henan Open in China. I didn’t know much about one of the guys who was chasing me, but then I heard the sound of the ball coming off Charlie Saxon’s driver and saw the soaring trajectory of his tee shots. 

‍I might be in trouble today.

Riding high from a T-12 the week before at a South Korean major, the Maekyung Open, I dissected menacingly narrow St. Andrews Golf Club during the first two rounds of the opening event of the PGA Tour China season. As the wind blew in a hazy drizzle on this early Saturday afternoon, I saw Saxon’s towering driver flight. Each shot was an unwavering, tight fade. I knew it would be a different day. 

I went backwards almost immediately, and Saxon took the lead within a few holes. I wish I could blame it on the weather or the golf course, but the truth was that I was intimidated. 

Saxon confidently strode the fairways looking bulletproof: wide shoulders, arms that few shirts could contain, a barrel chest, and a solid base. When he stepped on the course, his boyish face with the endearing smile hardened and became intense. He would remove his glove between shots, lugging it in his mouth like a tigress carrying her cub. He seemed hungry to devour the field.  

 I thought I was a bomber until I faced golf’s Incredible Hulk. Saxon’s golf game took him to China and back and fueled a promising rise, which would be hindered time and again by injury. 

I first met Saxon at PGA Tour China Qualifying School months earlier. After being the co-medalist, he hustled to the airport to catch a flight, crossing dozens of time zones to get to Buenos Aires for PGA Tour Latinoamerica Q school. Kunming to Beijing, Beijing to Chicago, Chicago to Dallas, Dallas to Buenos Aires. The trip took about 46 hours, and after an understandably disoriented nine-hole practice round, he played well enough to earn status.

Saxon’s professional golf career was off and running. His well-traveled mother, Jan, tagged along to visit China for the first time, perhaps in part to soften the culture shock for a kid who had grown up in Oklahoma and attended college there. Like most of us at the start of our careers, Saxon was enthusiastic, naive, and aloof, but once his name was called on the first tee, he looked unstoppable. 

When he thinks back to those early days, he can only laugh. He’s 30 now, and these days, a short flight and car ride to a tournament ages him. Back then, crossing a dozen time zones between qualifiers was nothing. 

“It sounded fun,” he says. “It’s like we’re living the dream playing professional golf. “If there’s an opportunity, let’s go do it and make the most of each and every opportunity.” 

Saxon grew up in Tulsa with Southern Hills Country Club as his backyard. Beyond the backyard gate, his world changed. On weekends and in the summers, he would swing that gate open early in the mornings and close it late at night. He became obsessed with the game. 

In 2001, the U.S. Open came to Southern Hills, and that meant the best player in the world, Tiger Woods, would be playing in Charlie’s backyard. He was 8 years old, and he and his three younger siblings excitedly held onto the ropes as Tiger stood in front of them on the 10th tee. 

“Tiger hit a shot off 10 tee and Charlie yelled out after he hit in a little baby voice, good shot Tiger!” Jan recalls. “Tiger turned to him and I was like, oh my gosh, is he gonna be mad? And Tiger flashes this big toothy smile. Charlie never forgot it.”

At Oklahoma, Saxon was a teammate who could be counted on, though rarely a tournament contender. He was an early recruit of Coach Ryan Hybl, and under Hybl’s tutelage, he steadily improved each year until an injury derailed the beginning of his senior year. His career in Norman ended leaving little doubt his game needed refinement before he could even think about playing on the PGA Tour. So he chose to play the development circuits in China and Latin America. 

For Saxon, chipping and pitching have always been his nemeses. The scale of his chipping challenges ranged from problematic to the full-blown yips. He wasn’t averse to putting from the high grass or hitting a flop shot when the proper play was a pitch-and-run. The chipping demons were easily hidden in China because Saxon struck his approach shots so solidly. 

“The bomb-fadesman was pretty much Charlie in a nutshell,” says Callum Tarren, a PGA Tour member who was on that journey with us through China.  “He hit the driver so well. It was flushery through the bag.”

That first season, Saxon built momentum through the year before a late-season charge produced his first win. He did it with a scorching 22-under-par total at Beijing’s Topwin Golf Club, former home of the European Tour’s Volvo China Open. That win bred confidence, and three events later, he won another PGA Tour China event, locking up his Korn Ferry Tour card for the following season.

“You’re in the most foreign environments as you can be with crazy travel, and you either take ownership of it and play well, or you don’t,” Saxon says. “I was able to get a lot better through competition in crazy places in the world and figure out what works for me.”

Most of us who faced Saxon that season or watched the momentum he was building assumed he was an unstoppable force. Good luck finding a competitor with anything negative to say about him. He lets his game do the talking, makes friends easily, and radiates positivity — a sponsor’s dream. We all knew his play would translate to any course in any country. 

“He dominated up in China,” says Tarren. “He was always the man to beat, pretty much every week.”

What we didn’t know was that he was playing through pain. 

When the season ended, Saxon realized the growing discomfort in his left hip might lead to something more serious. The diagnosis was Femoroacetabular Impingement, a common injury among longtime professional golfers, where the bones of the hip joint are so close they pinch tissue and tear the labrum. A lifetime of swinging a golf club can cause this injury. Some people are more predisposed to it than others. Saxon, only 23, had surgery at the end of 2016, before he made his debut as a Korn Ferry Tour member. 

“No golfer wants to have surgery and be out and then worry, am I going to get it back?” says Jan.  “Thankfully, the first hip surgery worked perfectly. He just got back on the horse and kept going.”

Thanks to an aggressive rehab plan, Saxon was swinging a club 11 weeks after surgery. He didn’t change anything in his swing, and with the hip pain gone, his swing speed returned. 

Still, he didn’t make his first Korn Ferry Tour start until April. He missed nine of 15 cuts and never cracked the top 10, earning a fraction of the money he had pocketed playing in China the previous year. After six consecutive missed cuts to finish the season, he headed back to the development circuit in China.

Saxon competed on PGA Tour China and the China Tour, which awarded European Tour membership to the winner of its Order of Merit. He took the country by storm. He won four events across the two tours, topped the Order of Merit and narrowly finished second to Tarren on the PGA Tour China points list. Not only did he have status again, but he also had options.

“I was just so consistent,” Saxon says. “It didn’t matter where I was playing. I was so confident. I was shooting good number after good number. I had a five-month stretch there where it was just really consistent and pretty easy.”

Having climbed to 204th in the world rankings, Saxon was playing so well he faced a dilemma: how to navigate all the playing opportunities he had created for himself. He was now a member of both the Korn Ferry Tour and the European Tour, and the exhaustive travel was beginning to wear on him. 

“The decision I made was to prioritize the Korn Ferry Tour instead of playing mostly on the European Tour,” Saxon says. “The thought was, I’m an American, my home is in the United States and my ultimate goal is to play the PGA Tour. There’s 50 cards available between the regular season and the playoffs, and with the European Tour, it’s a convoluted pathway to get back to the PGA Tour.” 

Still, he felt the temptation to explore some events that offered larger purses. One week the Korn Ferry Tour stopped at Peek n’ Peak resort in the southwestern corner of New York. It’s in a remote area without much to do outside the ski and golf resort. Charlie’s caddie wouldn’t let him forget that they could have been playing for significantly more money, in a far more desirable location. The Korn Ferry event had a $700,000 purse. Saxon was also exempt that week into a tournament across the Atlantic: the Irish Open at Lahinch, whose purse was $7 million. 

Importantly, his golf game was beginning to shine on the larger stage. Toward the end of the season, the Korn Ferry Tour stopped outside Salt Lake City for the Utah Championship, where the mountain air and elevation aided his already prodigious length. 

With six holes left, Saxon was 4 under par in the final round and 14 under for the tournament, the score that would play off for the title. He made back-to-back bogeys on the 13th and 14th, before arriving at the 15th, a short par-5. He was 10 yards short of the green after his second shot, but with 100 feet of green between his ball and hole. The chipping demons popped into his head. 

He pulled out his putter. The TV commentators were dumbfounded, and when Saxon hit the ball off the green, they were merciless. He saved par and then made a 15-foot par save on 16. When he buried another putt on 17, this time for birdie, he was back in contention.

Two nearly perfect shots at the short par-4 18th hole gave him a chance to tie the clubhouse lead. All that remained between Saxon’s ball and the hole were nine feet and a severe right-to-left slope. One of the top players on the tour that season, Harry Higgs, sat in the grandstands watching his friend attempt to secure his PGA Tour card. Higgs had finished earlier and had seen this putt a few times. Every player he watched missed the putt on the low side. He later told Saxon he was tempted to shout, “Breaks more than you think!”

The points awarded on the Korn Ferry Tour, much like the prize money, are top heavy. A second- or third-place finish is an admirable achievement, but to get to the PGA Tour, you usually have to win. This was Charlie’s chance. But Higgs was right. The putt came up short and low, as did Saxon in the season-ending points ranking.  

That meant another season in the top minor league. 

“Yes, I expected to get a PGA Tour card and I didn’t, so it was disappointing,” Saxon says. “But at the same time, in 2017, I played some horrific golf on the Korn Ferry Tour, and to come back in 2019 and be competitive, and really give myself a chance coming down the stretch, was validating.”

When the Tour suspended play due to the pandemic in early 2020, Saxon was living in Dallas with Scottie Scheffler and former college teammates Max McGreevy and Grant Hirschman. The four set up a gym and a hitting area in the garage, and they went to the course to play matches as frequently as restrictions allowed. 

Scheffler, who was relatively new to the PGA Tour, didn’t lose much over the course of those four months, and when the Tour resumed play, Saxon bet some of his fellow players that Scheffler would be a top-five player in the world in six months. He won the bet.

Saxon’s play picked up as well. He had a handful of top 10s across the 2020-21 megaseason — a combined season due to COVID — and his best play came at the end of 2020. As the season wound down, his results became more inconsistent. Something more sinister than missed cuts nagged him: another hip injury, which led to another surgery.  

Saxon went through 11 weeks of rehab before he could swing a club, and it was 16 weeks before he could compete. He chose not to take a medical leave from the Korn Ferry Tour in 2022, but when he returned to competition, his hip didn’t feel better. His mobility remained limited, he lost speed, and his swing suffered. 

“It didn’t feel like the hip I had before,” Saxon says. “It’s just hard when you’re not healthy. It’s hard showing up. Golf’s hard enough as it is. You’re trying to make it to the highest level of golf against the best players in the world. Doing that healthy is difficult as it is. But doing it when you can’t quite put in the practice you want, or the hip’s nagging, it’s definitely frustrating.”

“The light kind of went out for him when he didn’t get his card back, but he’s so determined and he’s such a positive person, that he doesn’t dwell there,” says Jan. “He’s just going to work as hard as he can to get it back.”

Off the golf course, Saxon got married and moved from Dallas back to Tulsa. He and his wife, Lauren, became new parents when McArthur Paul came into the world last year. They call the little guy “Mac.” It’s a family name that goes back centuries to Scotland, a fitting connection to the home of golf. Mac’s arrival has also given the new father a new outlook. 

“It’s definitely a full life-changer in a good way,” Saxon says. “It puts a whole bunch of things in perspective. Whether I play poor golf or great golf, it’s pretty frivolous now. You’ve got a little kid at home who loves me regardless of what I shoot. It’s been hard; you do something your whole life and get used to your routines, and the little guy comes in, and he’s the priority. It’s been the coolest 10 months of my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Saxon is home now. He knows how much work he has ahead to elevate his game. He and Lauren are learning the ropes of parenthood, and he is becoming more efficient with his time. Earlier this year, he won a two-day North Texas PGA event by four shots, a victory that was a big step in rebuilding his confidence. 

He hasn’t forgotten how to win. He knows he has to continue building momentum one day at a time. He also has his sights set on Q school at the end of the year, which is awarding PGA Tour cards to the top five finishers. 

“This year is pretty nuts,” Saxon says. “You can go from Joe Schmoe with absolutely no status, to the PGA Tour. There’s a lot to play for. But it doesn’t happen out of thin air. It requires putting in the work incrementally day after day.”

The Charlie Saxon I chased on a weekly basis on PGA Tour China was destined for success at the highest level of professional golf. He has experienced more highs and lows in the professional game than most players, but those early days on foreign fairways prepared him for the road ahead. 

“I’ve known that when I’m playing good golf, that golf transfers at any level,” Saxon says. “I’m trying to rediscover that again. I’m trying to play Charlie golf, the golf I’ve played before, the golf that competes and has contended, and the golf that will contend again.”

Few ball flights have left an impression on me the way Saxon’s did on the driving range at the Henan Open. He’s not the same player he was back then. He has been through too much. I hope his opponents soon discover he’s more formidable because of it.  

‍This Story Written by Mark Baldwin for MondayQ.com

Brandon Matthews is true to where he’s from because it has galvanized him for where he is.

Growing up in Dupont, Pa., the PGA Tour member honed his game, starting at age six, at Emanon Country Club, a place he called “one of the most blue-collar, down-to- earth fun clubs” that cost $50 per year for a youth membership. In fact, when brainstorming for a name the founders came up with No Name that they spelled backwards and proudly christened Emanon.

“That place has shaped me into what I am today,” said Matthews. “For morals, values, and how to handle myself. I got my butt busted from the time I was six years old.”

Applying those life lessons with some diligent practice, Matthews became the 2010 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association individual champion, playing for Pittston High School. He followed that with a victory in the GAP (Golf Association of Philadelphia) Junior Boys Championship in 2011.

Matthews credits his ‘local’ golf association for providing the best laboratory to grow his game from a successful player at Temple University to eventual promotion through its hierarchy to the PGA Tour in 2022. Even closer to home but as important in his development was the Anthracite Golf Association, which was absorbed by GAP in the last few years.

“It’s hard to put it into words how instrumental into my development as a golfer GAP was,” Matthews said.. “The talent that was around while I was developing was absolutely unbelievable from the time I was a junior in GAP all the way until I turned pro.”

He also cites the clubs and facilities that host tournaments, always in impeccable shape, as another benefit to his career. Matthews will never forget playing in the Philadelphia Open at Pine Valley (“the greatest golf course on the planet”) in 2012 as a high school junior.

“Every event that I played in there was always a high level of competition,” Matthews said. “You couldn’t play average and win a golf tournament, no matter how good you were. GAP is the one of the premier golf associations in the country as far as golf courses, the staff they have on hand, and players. Being able to win a few times in that association and have some trophies from my time playing in those events is very, very special to me.”

Among his many GAP successes is winning the 2013 Player of the Year Award, when he became the only player to record victories in the Philadelphia Open and the Patterson Cup as well earning GAP’s Silver Cross. He had earned an alternate’s spot at the U.S. Open at Merion and practiced alongside the field but did not make the final field. Later that summer, he advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.

At that point he was a Temple sophomore en route to eight wins as Owl, tying the school’s career mark.

“2013 was a big steppingstone in propelling me to get to that next level,” said the 28-year-old. “I realized I was able to compete with some of the best amateurs in the world. That was the year I realized that 100 percent I can do this.”

Matthews’ college coach Brian Quinn calls him the best player in Temple history and pointed out critical reasons for that success.

“He would outwork everyone,” Quinn said. “Everything was in preparation for where he is now. He has the physical attributes that guys on the Tour would like to have but he was always a standout because of his work ethic and his desire. And his mind is so strong.”

In addition winning the 2014 Dixie Amateur and adding a second Philadelphia Open title in 2015, Matthews was named an honorable mention All-America honors in 2016. He credits Quinn for an uptick in his development as both a player and as a man.

Following graduation from Temple in 2016, Matthews turned pro and played on the developmental PGA Tour Latinoamerica and won twice in 2020-21 to win the Tour’s Order of Merit and Player of the Year. That performance earned him a promotion to the Korn Ferry Tour in 2022, where he won the Astara Golf Championship and made the cut in the U.S. Open, his first major championship.

“It’s definitely a learning curve,” Matthews said of his time on PGA Tour Latinoamerica. “You learn how to travel, your finances, your this, your that. Everything that tour taught me prepared me for the next level.”

Known as a long-ball hitter, the 6’4”, 210-pound Matthews has battled back issues but keeps that in perspective on a daily basis. He stamps himself as ready after a stretch of 6-8 months of troubles. Married in late 2022 and residing in Jupiter, Fla., Matthews mentioned his support system: “The people in my corner have been incredibly supportive in the ups and downs.”

Matthews’ wife, Danielle, grew up in the GAP area, in Saucon Valley, and also plays golf. She was introduced to the game by Matthews. They met while students at Temple, and she interviewed him for OwlSports Update, at weekly university-run broadcast, after his first college victory.

Recently, he and fellow GAP alum Sean O’Hair finished T7 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Matthews’ best finish in 23 career starts entering last week’s AT&T Byron Nelson.

Matthews knows his schedule is based on performance and he will attempt to qualify for a second straight U.S. Open at Final Qualifying at Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach, Fla. on June 5.

“A win takes care of a lot of problems in my life,” Matthews said. “A great week changes my life in many ways. I have to keep my head down and have perspective that I am living a reality that was once a dream. I also have to realize I am not done yet. Even though I am where I dreamed I would be there is still a hell of a lot more to be achieved.”

This Story Originally Written By Pete Kowalski for Global Golf Post

QUITO, Ecuador—Garett Reband of the U.S. fired a moving-day-low 64 to take control at the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica’s 2023 Kia Open. The PGA TOUR University alum from the University of Oklahoma moved to 15-under 201 to open a three-shot lead over fellow U.S. player Beau Breault, who carded a 66 to stand solo second, at 12-under.

Armando Favela of Mexico, the 36-hole leader by one shot, carded a 70 to slip into a tie for third with countryman Alvaro Ortiz, who posted a 67, and first-round leader Toni Hakula of Finland, who moved back into contention by firing a 65.

Making a costly double bogey on his last hole left Alex Scott of the U.S. in solo-sixth, at 10-under. Seven other players share the seventh spot, six strokes behind Reband’s leading pace, including Ecuador’s Juan Moncayo. He recorded his third consecutive 69 in front of a cheerful crowd that provided its support at the Quito Tennis & Golf Club.

“It was a great day. I found a little something on the range earlier before I went off and teed, and I stuck with that same feeling all day and it worked out really well,” said Reband, 23, who entered the day trailing by two shots in a tie for third.

Although there’s nothing boring in a bogey-free 64, Reband called his eight-birdie performance boring. “It’s funny how those boring rounds turn into that sometimes. A lot of fairways, a lot of greens and then (I) made a few putts in there, which turned into 8-under,” said Reband.

After making his first birdie of the day at the third, one that settled him down early, Reband caught fire halfway through the round. A streak of four consecutive birdies, starting on No. 7, took him to the top of the leaderboard as he moved to 12-under.

“I knew I had to stay patient. I hit a lot of good shots, (Nos.) 4 through 6, but I didn’t get rewarded for them,” said Reband, who followed an easy birdie on No. 7 with a chip-in birdie a hole later after a poor third shot to keep the momentum going. He added birdies on 12 and 14 to pull away and had a huge break at the par-5 17th.

“I’ve been hitting a draw all week, and it should have set me up pretty well, but I haven’t felt really comfortable over the 17th tee shot. I pulled a 5-wood in the trees early, and it happened to kick out in the fairway, which was a huge relief, and then I got it out in the fairway and gave me a chance for birdie. I didn’t make it, but I had that chance,” he explained right after he closed the day with a birdie at the par-4 18th.

The player from York, South Carolina, came into this week having missed the cut in all four of his starts this PGA TOUR Latinoamérica season.

“I could see the game finally starting to move in the right direction last week, even though I didn’t play that well. Then this week I felt comfortable as soon as I stepped on the course on Monday,” added Reband, who indicated he hasn’t had any issues with the significant altitude here, a city in the middle of the mountains, at 9,350 feet above sea level.

In Sunday’s last group, Reband will play with Breault and Hakula. They are scheduled to start at 11:48 a.m. local time at the Quito Tennis & Golf Club.

Did you know Garett Reband spent a year and a half on the Korn Ferry Tour before joining PGA TOUR Latinoamérica this season? Coming out of the University of Oklahoma, he finished fifth on the PGA TOUR University to earn status on the Korn Ferry Tour halfway through the 2021 season. He tied for 19th at Final Stage of Q-School to secure his card for the 2022 season but made only nine cuts in 22 starts, eventually losing lost his card at the next level. Reband has made 29 career Korn Ferry Tour starts.

Santa Barbara, CA – April 5, 2023 – Kate Farms^® the market leader bringing plant-based nutrition into healthcare, today announced a partnership with PGA TOUR players Hank Lebioda and Brandon Matthews, to spotlight professional athletes with unique health conditions who use Kate Farms as part of their wellness and nutrition routines.

“Hank and Brandon have both overcome health challenges that could have ended their golf careers prematurely had they not sought treatment and nutrition guidance,” said Kate Farms’ Chief Commercial Officer Catherine Hayden. “We are thrilled to be partnering with them and sharing their story so that others might benefit from learning about the power of plant-based, high quality nutrition products.”

This season on the PGA TOUR is Lebioda’s fifth, after a stand-out career at Florida State University where he was an All-American, ACC Conference Freshman of the Year, ACC Conference Player of the Year and set several University records. Lebioda’s success required him to overcame difficulties in his  freshman year at FSU, when he was bedridden with intense abdominal pain and digestion issues.  After a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, Hank became diligent about his sleep, fitness, stress management and nutrition to avoid inflammation and flare-ups, earning his way onto the PGA TOUR in 2018 after strong showings on the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Latin America.

“Finding Kate Farms is a game-changer for me,” said Lebioda. “I can throw a few of the shakes into my golf bag and know with confidence that I can nourish my body on the course, on the road or at home with my Crohn’s disease.”

For Brandon Matthews, the 2022/2023 PGA TOUR season is his first, after multiple top-three finishes and one victory in Colombia on the Korn Ferry Tour last year to secure his PGA TOUR membership for the 2022/2023 season. In 2021 Matthews was the Player of the Year on PGA TOUR Latin America. Only recently has Matthews addressed seriously his sensitive digestive system that has troubled him since childhood. While now being treated for colitis and IBD, Matthews undergoes additional testing while fine-tuning his exercise and nutrition routines.

“Playing 18 holes of golf day in and day out is tough on any body,” added Matthews. “When you’re playing at the professional level, any competitive advantage is important, and that includes what you put into your body to fuel it. Kate Farms is an excellent addition to my daily meal plan.”

Both Lebioda and Matthews have become active advocates and fundraisers to support additional research into Crohn’s, Colitis and related disorders. Since 2019, Hank and his family have helped to raise more than $400,000 for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation with the local CCF chapter in Central Florida. Matthews created his own charity golf tournament in 2021 called the NEPA Invitational , and the 2022 event benefited  Geisinger’s Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Scranton. In total, the NEPA Invitational has raised $150,000 in its first two years.

–end—

About Kate Farms

Kate Farms was founded when a little girl named Kate Laver was failing to thrive because she couldn’t tolerate any of the available tube feeding formulas. Her determined parents, Richard and Michelle, had the transformative idea to develop a better formula using the highest quality, organic, plant-based ingredients without the synthetic ingredients and common allergens found in traditional formulas. Today Kate is thriving, and Kate Farms is now the #1 recommended plant-based formula.**  

Kate Farms offers medical formulas for children and adults, to be used as sole source or supplemental nutrition, for oral or tube feeding. They are available nationally and eligible for insurance coverage with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance. Kate Farms formulas are made for tolerance with easily digested organic pea protein, fiber and phytonutrients, and without common allergens or artificial sweeteners or flavors. Kate Farms can be accessed in more than 600 US hospitals, including the top children’s hospitals; availability is increasing daily. Visit www.katefarms.com for more details.

For more information, visit www.katefarms.com or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH — Justin Lower has so many stories to tell it’s difficult to pick just one. Some golf fans may recall the awful tragedy the Ohio native experienced as a teenager when he lost his father and brother in a single-car accident. Just last season Lower three-putted the 72nd hole of the Wyndham Championship from 61 feet to lose his PGA Tour status by one shot last season. Then there’s the fact that he is the equivalent of a scratch handicap at bowling, and once scored 269, which he says is like shooting 62 in golf.

But then there is this Tiger Woods story. Lower, now 33, grew up in the Akron area of Ohio and was 11 when Woods hit his famous “shot in the dark” at the 2000 NEC Invitational at Firestone. A storm delay forced Woods and Hal Sutton to finish the final round in near-darkness at 8:30 p.m. Woods, fresh off beating Bob May to win the PGA Championship, hit an 8-iron from 168 yards in darkness on Firestone’s 18th hole that settled to two feet. He tapped that in for birdie and recorded an 11-shot win.

Lower was in the gallery. Sort of.

“He hit the shot as I was leaving the course, but I heard the roar,” Lower told Golf Digest at the Players Championship, where he is making his event debut.

Did he kick himself for leaving early?

“A little bit, but I was 11 at the time,” he said.

Lower received a mulligan. The following day, Woods conducted a junior clinic at Firestone’s course across the road at 7 a.m. “I got to witness the clinic that next morning with Tiger and Butch Harmon [Woods’ coach at the time],” Lower said. “Butch was like, ‘What kind of shot do you play when you’re really swinging it great?’ Tiger was like, ‘A two-yard draw every time.’ Butch then asked him to hit it and, with a 6-iron, he hit the tightest little two-yard draws over and over again. It was perfect.

“It just kind of tells you how Tiger was built. He won that tournament by 11 shots. The next morning he was up at 7 a.m. doing a clinic for everyone. It’s wild because most guys win a tournament you’re going out to celebrate, you’re not waking up that early.”

RELATED: How to follow all the action at TPC Sawgrass via TV and streaming

Lower then pivots the interview at TPC Sawgrass to talking about the recreational sport of bowling, which is huge in the Midwest.

“Off the golf course, I’m a pretty good bowler,” Lower said. “I was in a formal league when I was 15 and I averaged 200 which was decent.

“I’ve never gotten a perfect game [300], 269 is my highest. I had an open frame, which means I didn’t get a strike or a spare, and then I had 10 strikes. Then got a nine at the end of that. 10 strikes in a row is huge. Twelve strikes is a perfect game. As I got the eighth and ninth strike I started thinking, ‘Wow, this is like getting real.’”

Courtney Culbreath

Then there is the aforementioned story of tragedy in the Lower family. When he was 15, before playing college golf for Malone University, he was waiting to be picked up at Lyons Den Golf Course, in Canal Fulton, Ohio, when his father, Tim, and brother Chris, were killed in a single-car accident. Lower used the Lyons Den course to overcome the grief. Staffers gave him a key to the shed so he could have unlimited access to range balls.

“I wasn’t working on anything,” Lower has said previously. “It was just therapeutic.”

But the story does have a happy ending. Lower still lives in the Akron area and in 2014, Lower struck up a relationship with a cheerleader from his high school, Janise Sandrock. They married in 2019 and in December last year, the couple welcomed a baby girl, Ariana Lynn. Last week at Bay Hill was the first tournament where they travelled with the baby.

“That’s been amazing,” he said. “Maybe a few restless nights, but it’s more for my wife than me. I sleep through anything. It’s been amazing having [Ariana] here. My perspective has definitely changed since she’s been born because it wasn’t the easiest delivery process. So, she’s definitely just a huge blessing in both of our lives.”

The baby came just before Christmas and months after a stroke of good fortune on the course for Lower. Weeks after the three-putt at the Wyndham Championship kept him from a tour card and playing in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, Lower was given his card back thanks to the removal of six LIV Golf recruits from within the top 125 in the FedEx Cup. That’s how he earned his way to a debut at the Players Championship,

RELATED: Max Homa reveals why he thinks the PGA Tour misses some LIV Golf characters

“I circled the Players in my calendar right away,” he said. “I’m pumped to be here. It’s a $25 million purse. You can’t really ask for much more, on a great golf course and with good weather.”

Lower was at the 2022-23 season-opening Fortinet Championship in Napa, where he held the lead after the first and third rounds en route to a T-4—the first top-five of his PGA Tour career.

He recorded another top-10 for the season at the Bermuda Championship but has struggled leading into the Players with four missed cuts from his past five starts. But Lower feels ready to turn it around.

“I think my best golf is still in front of me, which is nice to think of and I think I’m a lot better than what my performances show,” he said. “I would say, don’t be surprised if I make some noise at some point.”

Story Written by Evan Priest for GOLF DIGEST.

Playing professional golf requires, more than anything, concentration and avoiding distractions.

Distractions come in many forms. Some are on the course while others seep in from off the course and no matter how hard a pro might try, they make the task difficult.

Hank Lebioda’s distractions began 18 months ago when he withdrew from the 2021 3M Open after the second round.

Lebioda had not only made the cut, but was on a pretty significant run of three consecutive top 10s: a T5 at the Travelers Championship, T4 at the Rocket Mortgage and a T8 at the John Deere Classic.

So, the WD was a surprise.

“I had a family incident,” Lebioda said after his second-round 72 at Pebble Beach. “Not super ready to talk about it. I withdrew from the 3M Open in 2021. Dad was really sick. That’s about all I really want to get into at the moment. But it’s been a long year-and-a-half since then.”

When Lebioda did make it back to the Tour he missed the cut in the last two events of his season and the next four cuts of the new 2021-22 season before a T15 at the Houston Open. Then he missed his next two cuts after Houston.

Lebioda has not recorded a top 10 in his last 37 events and he came to the Monterey Peninsula on a run of seven missed cuts, making his current position, tied for second at the halfway point, seem somewhat miraculous.

“I know the work that I put in. I trust my team around me,” Leboida said. “The way that we saw it is that it was just going to be a matter of time. If I kept working our plan that we had made that good things would come. Yes, the beginning of the season hasn’t been good. It’s been a kind of a rough last 18 months almost. So, I’m very fortunate to be in this position today and this week. I know it’s just part of a long climb back.”

Story written by Alex Miceli for SI.com

(November 13, 2022)–We are proud to welcome LPGA Tour player Amanda Doherty to the Fidelity Sports Group family. Amanda has signed with FSG for worldwide representation, marketing and career management.

2022 has been a successful season for Amanda as a rookie on the LPGA TOUR. Amanda’s season was highlighted by 8th place finish at the ISPS Honda World Invitational, a 13th place finish at the MEDIHEAL Championship and a 14th place finish DIO Implant LA Open. Additionally Amanda played in her first major championships, making the cut at both the US Women’s Open and Evian Championship. Notably, Amanda is in the Top 20 on the LPGA Tour in driving distance, putting average and total eagles.

2021 marked Amanda’s first full season as a professional golfer. As a member of the LPGA’s Epson Tour, Amanda was a model of consistently as she recorded eight Top 6 finishes in 19 events. The consistent performance at the top of the leaderboards earned Amanda a spot in the Top 10 of the Epson Tour Money List, her LPGA Tour membership for 2022 and 2021 Rookie of the Year Honors on the Epson Tour.

A graduate of Florida State University, Amanda was a multiple time All-American and leader of the Seminole’s women’s golf program. While in Tallahassee, Amanda posted one victory, and twelve Top 10 finishes in 41 events. She also competed in the inaugural Augusta Women’s Amateur, making the cut and finishing in a tie for 21st place. She graduated from FSU in the spring of 2020 with a degree in sports management.

“We are very excited to be joining Amanda’s team. She has quickly progressed to the LPGA Tour and claimed her spot as one of the Tour’s rising stars”, said Drew Carr, Partner at Fidelity Sports, “it is a rare combination in professional golf for an athlete to be top ranked amongst their peers in both distance and putting. That combination will allow Amanda to consistently compete for trophies on Sunday afternoons. She has a very bright future and we are humbled to be in her corner.”

Amanda will be co-managed and represented by FSG partners David Moorman and Drew Carr.

Scranton, PA – The second annual NEPA Invitational charity event, hosted by PGA TOUR player Brandon Matthews was held at the Country Club of Scranton on October 14 – 16, 2022 and raised $100,000. The NEPA Invitational is a pro-am golf tournament that brought together professionals, high-level amateurs, and golf aficionados alike. Proceeds from the 2022 NEPA Invitational will support Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital and the William Lawler Scholarship Fund through the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

Matthews was born and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania. A Pittston Area graduate, he established the NEPA Invitational Fund with a desire to give back to the community he grew up in. He partnered with the Scranton Area Community Foundation to help allocate the funds raised to local organizations in need.

“The Scranton Area Community Foundation is honored that Brandon and the NEPA Invitational have partnered with us to carry out the charitable goals of this event,” stated Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “His desire to give back is truly making a difference right here in our communities.”

“Being able to give back to the community that shaped me is something that I have always dreamed of and for that dream to currently be in the process of being realized is truly amazing. The support from the Northeastern Pennsylvania community for my career and this event is incredibly humbling and I will never forget where I came from,” stated Matthews.

The 2nd Annual NEPA Invitational kicked off Friday, October 14, with a ‘Dinner with the Pros’ event at the Country Club of Scranton. Dinner, live entertainment, and a live auction were included. Forty-seven teams competed in a two-day event.

“We rely on community partners to help us respond to the evolving needs of families across the region, and we’re grateful to Brandon Matthews and all the leadership and supporters of the NEPA Invitational,” stated Frank Maffei, MD, Geisinger Chair of Pediatrics. “This support helps Geisinger Pediatrics and the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital to deliver family-centered pediatric care that is driven by best practice, innovation and compassion.”

To date, the NEPA Invitational Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation has provided $150,000 to support a variety of charities including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA, Meals on Wheels of NEPA, Inc., Outreach, and United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, in addition to Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. Additionally, the NEPA Invitational and Matthews have worked closely with the Scranton Area Community Foundation to establish to William Lawler Scholarship, awarded to a NEPA area junior golfer who is going on to play collegiate golf.

For more information on the NEPA Invitational Fund or the event, please contact Brittany Pagnotti, Communications Manager at the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

Photo credit: The Country Club of Scranton

PHOTO: PGA TOUR player Brandon Matthews presents Brittany Pagnotti of the Scranton Area Community Foundation with a $100,000 donation during the NEPA Invitational. The donation will provide support to Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital through the NEPA Invitational Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

About Brandon Matthews
Brandon Matthews, professional golfer on the PGA Tour was born and raised in Northeast Pennsylvania. Throughout his career, he has always held the area of Northeastern Pennsylvania close to his heart and has always had the desire to give back to the area as much as possible. The area has shaped him throughout his life and has made him who he is today, for which he is incredibly grateful. The NEPA Invitational was created as the first step in Brandon’s philanthropic efforts and goals. For more information on Brandon Matthews or to be in touch please contact Drew Carr at Fidelity Sports Group. [email protected]

About Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital
Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital is committed to the health and well-being of children, adolescents and families. Today, Geisinger pediatrics serves 45 counties and their specialty-trained pediatric doctors and nurses provide expertise in more than 30 medical and surgical disciplines, treating common to the most complex pediatric health conditions. That commitment includes Northeast Pennsylvania where Geisinger serves approximately 60,000 young patients each year.  It extends to children of all ages and includes the 2,583 babies that were delivered at Geisinger Community Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley in 2021.  And for newborns that require additional care, the Level III Tambur Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is ready to serve.

About the Scranton Area Community Foundation
The Scranton Area Community Foundation is on a mission to enhance the quality of life for all people in Northeastern Pennsylvania through the development of organized philanthropy. With nearly $95 million in assets under management and more than 275 charitable funds, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served as a steward, grantmaker, charitable resource, and catalyst for change since 1954.

The Foundation leads various initiatives including Women in Philanthropy, the Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence, NEPA Moves, and the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. Additionally, the Foundation hosts and facilitates NEPA Gives and the NEPA Learning Conference.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization confirmed in compliance with National Standards of U.S. Community Foundations. More information about the Scranton Area Community Foundation can be found at www.safdn.org.

JACKSON, Miss. – Brandon Matthews does not necessarily enjoy dancing.

Last Saturday was an occasion for such activities, though. The TOUR rookie married his college sweetheart Danielle in a ceremony outside Philadelphia – the two met in college at Temple; Danielle, a reporter for the school’s OwlSports Update show, covered Matthews’ first collegiate victory.

The off-week brought an opportune time for nuptials, with the first dance set to Dave Matthews Band’s “You and Me” ballad.

“He hates dancing, and we were going to take a dance lesson, but both of our schedules are crazy, so we weren’t able to,” Danielle laughed. “So we just went with it, and the crowd seemed to like it.”

“For me, I think it was a 10 out of 10,” Brandon added.

“10 out of 10,” Danielle confirmed.

The wedding vibes carried into this week’s Sanderson Farms Championship, where the newlyweds arrived on a honeymoon of sorts. Matthews opened in 5-under 67 at the Country Club of Jackson for a share of the morning-wave lead in just his second TOUR start as a member.

There’s only one chance for a debut competitive round as a newlywed, and Matthews delivered.

“Just a big smile on my face, watching him do what he loves,” Danielle said on a crisp Thursday afternoon, “on our honeymoon.”

The journey has made the destination all the sweeter. Matthews earned his first TOUR card via the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Regular Season, highlighted by a victory at the Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard in Bogota in February.

Matthews, long regarded as one of the game’s longest hitters, faced adversity early in his career – largely brought on by injury – before finding his groove.

The Pennsylvania native developed his power from a young age, where he would tee up a driver with his sole focus on carrying a creek, then move back a few yards upon succeeding. This developed an instinctive power move that has carried to his professional career; Matthews ranked No. 4 on the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour in driving distance. He ranked No. 2 in the category as a Korn Ferry Tour rookie in 2018 behind only Cameron Champ, then finished the 2019 season atop the list.

That trying 2019 season provoked a vicious cycle of injuries and bad habits, though. He fell into a rut and eventually lost his card.

Ever the optimist, with a consistent appreciation for the opportunity to play professional golf for a living, Matthews fought his way back. He gained notoriety for his grace after missing a putt to extend a playoff on PGA TOUR Latinoamerica in fall 2019. A fan with Down syndrome yelled during his birdie try, but rather than cast blame, Matthews tracked down the fan post-round and spent some time with him.

“Some things in life are just bigger than golf,” Matthews said at the time.

He returned to PGA TOUR Latinoamerica and didn’t miss a beat, finishing atop the 2020-21 Order of Merit to earn full 2022 Korn Ferry Tour status. He concluded his time on that circuit in dramatic fashion. At the Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance, Matthews drove the green on the 432-yard, par-4 18th at Victoria National GC  – 368 yards on a direct line – needing eagle to make the cut. He just missed, but the golf world had been put on notice. Matthews’ prodigious game was soon to hit the biggest stage.

“It’s a superpower,” fellow Korn Ferry Tour graduate Philip Knowles said of Matthews’ length off the tee. “You can’t teach that kind of stuff.”

Matthews might not say the same about his dancing ability – aside from on his wedding night, that is – but in his interactions with Danielle after the opening round at the Sanderson Farms Championship, the honeymoon vibe was alive and well.

His first month as a TOUR pro brings similar sentiments.

“I love doing this for a living,” Matthews said Thursday at the Country Club of Jackson. “I’m fortunate enough to do it for a living. Every day I get to play golf in competition for a living is pretty special to me, and I’m very fortunate to do it.

“I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in the world to be able to do this for a living, because I love it so much.”

And he sports a 67.00 stroke average as a married man.

“I told her when I walked off,” Matthews laughed, “we should have gotten married sooner.”

Story originally written by Kevin Prise for PGATOUR.com

Janise and Justin Lower are expecting. The due date for their first child is Christmas Eve. It will be a much bigger moment than Justin’s arrival as a hot PGA Tour prospect, but for the record, the date for that arrival is now.

Lower, from Northwest High School and Malone University, headed for this week’s Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississippi coming off his best finish.

At his previous Tour outing, in Napa, California, he opened with a career-best 63. He led an eight-man logjam after three rounds, and, in the end, tied for fourth place.

Sure, he would like to have won the Fortinet Championship, as opposed to finishing four shots behind five-time Tour winner Max Homa, who earned $1,440,000 with the win. Second place, paying $872,000, would have been nice, but 2016 Masters champ Danny Willett took that spot.

Third place would have been his had Taylor Montgomery not shot the round of his life, 64, on the final day.

Still, Lower made Stark County history. No one from the county ever finished so high in a PGA Tour event, unless you count Tom Weiskopf, who was born in Massillon but moved to Bedford before he was in grade school.

Weiskopf won the 1973 British Open and was runner-up in four Masters. Fun fact: Weiskopf’s total money from those five Majors was $95,000; Lower’s payday for his fourth place was $360,000.

“If you count Weiskopf, I would say Justin is No. 2 on the list of the best golfers to come out of Stark County,” Mike Emery said. “Other than that, there hasn’t been anything close to what Justin has done, and you would need to get into a discussion of the county’s accomplished women.”

Emery, who launched his long golf career at Canton Central Catholic High School, has been Lower’s swing coach the last five years.

“Justin is getting better by leaps and bounds,” Emery said. “His practice ethics are awesome, and it’s really paying off.”

Ken Hyland, Malone’s 76-year-old golf coach, weighed in on the best-in-county-history question by excluding Weiskopf and saying, “I’ve seen ’em all, and probably played with most of them. I would say, it’s early, but, yeah, Justin is.”

Lower, 33, has been around, having turned pro in 2011. Turning pro is nowhere close to the same thing as earning a PGA Tour card, which is the ticket to entering Tour events.

It took him 10 years and a marathon grind on the Korn Ferry Tour to get his hands on that elusive PGA Tour card.Next came the pressure of keeping the card for more than the 2021-22 season.

In April of 2022, in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Lower tied for 10th place. In July, he posted the best score for the final 36 holes of the Barbasol Classic in Kentucky and finished eighth overall.

He made 15 of 24 cuts and won $700,545. It wasn’t enough.

In late August, he three-putted on the final hole of the last event of the 2021-22 season, the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C.

Long story short: He would have kept his card had he two-putted. Tearful and exasperated on camera after three-putting, he stammered out the words, “This really sucks.”

The reprieve came when enough Tour qualifiers defected to LIV Golf to restore a card to Lower’s wallet. He responded with the best finish of his life in the first event of the 2022-23 season.

PGA vs. LIV is a complicated story. This is not: Golf is as deep in talent as it has ever been. The PGA Tour remains linked with the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open and the PGA Championship. To many thousands of scratch golfers, a PGA Tour card is a wildest dream.

More on Justin Lower:Nicklaus Award winner Justin Lower grinding to fulfill dream of playing on PGA Tour

Lower is thankful for his.

“I still haven’t done a lot in this game,” he said. “There’s still a lot I want to do and need to do.

“I’ve never even played in a Major. There’s guys my age who have played in 20-plus already.

“I used to compare myself to a lot of people from Stark County, but I’ve kind of broadened that now. I want to be one of the best in the world if I can.”

Lower sill lives fairly close to where he grew up. He and Janise have a Uniontown mailing address near Prestwick Country Club. He trains at Prestwick.

“The whole neighborhood watches him on TV,” Prestwick pro John Moldovan said on a Tuesday. “He started off the new season awesome, then he was right back here working on his game. Today he was on the range for a good long while and he was also on the putting green.

“He’s worked his way up the ladder and now he’s in the biggest show there is. We love having him out here.”

On a worldwide scale, being in the the discussion of “best golfer in Stark County history” doesn’t much move the needle.

He intends to add substantially to the story. It is quite a story already, one Andy Lyons of Lyons Den Golf Course knows well.

“He was maybe 8 years old the first time I saw him,” Lyons said. “I was working on No. 9, changing a cup, and I saw him on the No. 1 tee with his dad and his uncle.

“I saw him take a swing and I was amazed. ‘What on earth was THAT?'”

“That” was a heavenly natural swing.

“I talked to his dad and said the door is always open,” Lyons said. “His dad said he was playing baseball and playing some golf at Chippewa. He started coming out, and we put him in a program.”

The Lower family lived in a Firestone Park neighborhood in Akron at the time and moved to Canal Fulton as he progressed through school.

Lyons Den is Lower’s field of dreams.

“I love that place,” he said. “I’ve played more rounds there than anywhere else. Andy gave me an opportunity, as well as some other kids, to work for golf. The work basically was just cleaning up the driving range.

“There were some days in the summer when we sneaked in 54 holes. I remember being 13 and actually playing 63 holes with my friend Richie Schembechler.”

Schembechler lives in Memphis, Tennessee now. Lower planned to visit his old pal on the way to this week’s Tour stop in Mississippi.

“Justin has a better memory than I do if we played 63 holes,” Schembechler said. “One thing I remember clearly is our putting contests on the Lyons Den practice green.

“We would pretend our putts were to win a championship in one of the Majors. We would see who could win the most Majors in a day.”

By high school, Lower had spent countless days at Lyons Den. He did the Den proud as a Northwest sophomore in the autumn of 2004, when he qualified for the OHSAA Division II state tournament at Ohio State’s famed Scarlet Course. Joe Frustaci, a Canton Central Catholic senior, finished second with a two-day total of 150. Lower placed 19th at 164.

Several months later, on March 26, 2005, his dad dropped him off at Lyons Den at about 10:30 a.m. It was the Saturday before Easter,

They agreed Tim would return to pick him up at 5:30 or 6. The day passed. Those times came and went. Justin and Andy Lyons were the only two people left on the course when Justin’s mom, Debbie, picked him up, worried but hoping there had been a miscommunication.

Tim, 46, spent most of the day with another son, 10-year-old Chris, in Marshallville.

Tim worked for the village of Marshallville and had a side job with an excavation company, which included, that day, operating a machine to dig a grave at a cemetery not far from Marshallville American Legion Post 718.

Tim was a commander of the Sons of the American Legion and was a familiar face at Post 718. He and Chris spent some of the day there. Tim did some drinking.

Tim and Chris were on their way from Post 718 to Lyons Den when their Ford station wagon lost control on Fulton Road, went airborne, and hit a utility pole.

The crash took both of their lives. Tim’s blood-alcohol level was past the legal limit, compounding the psychology of the tragedy.

The obituary said of Tim, “He was very kind to everyone he met and was well loved by everyone.”

Justin lost focus for a while. A year and a half later, as a Northwest senior, he won a 2006 OHSAA state championship. Seventeen years later, he carries two ball markers that say “Dad, Chris, 3-26-05.”

Andy Lyons is moved by Justin’s resilience.

“He’s a true Phoenix,” Lyons said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve seen it from the accident and all the way to now. It’s just his story. Something deep within him.”

Lyons says it was “God’s plan” that Lower wound up at Malone, rather than in a major-college golf program.

“Ken Hyland is a beautiful man,” said Lyons, who was Malone’s top player for a stretch of the 1990s. “He certainly was the guy Justin needed to be under.”

Hyland held off on recruiting Lower.

“I knew he wanted to go D-I,” Hyland said. “Justin finally came in with Andy. We had a long talk.

“One D-I coach told him, ‘You won’t make it through one semester.’ Another told him, ‘You’re not good enough to play D-I.

“The coach who told him he wasn’t good enough for D-I … we played in their tournament. Justin won. Our team won. We played in the tournament the next year and won it again.

“The third year, we weren’t invited back.”

Lower won an NAIA national championship in 2010 and turned pro in 2011. Hyland gets emotional when he converses about Justin growing up.

“I really believe this is just the start of the story with him,” Hyland said. “We don’t know how it’s going to finish, but I think God still has plans for him.

“He has willpower, concentration, determination. He is the most positive person I’ve ever coached. I tell him, ‘Good luck today, play well,’ and he tells me, ‘I will.’

“It’s exciting to see how he’s matured and what he’s done. I look at him as a sophomore on the PGA Tour. I know personally what’s going to happen when he’s a senior. I think he’s going to be a dominant factor.”

Whatever is next, Schembechler says Justin will be his best friend. Years after spending sunup to sundown at Lyons Den, they were Malone teammates.

“Maybe it’s in his head that he would have liked to play D-I, but I doubt it could have worked out any better for him than going to Malone,” Schembechler said. “The year he won the national title the tournament was at TPC Deere Run. It was rainy and crazy windy. He shot a 70, which was the lowest round of the tournament by four shots.

“It came down to the last hole. We were all watching from a hill. He had a really tough chip.

“I was like … he’s going to chip it in. He chipped it in. Everybody laughed.”

Before shifting careers from golf to financial planning, Schembechler played in the 2016 U.S. Open. One of Lower’s immediate goals is to play in his first Major.

“That would be a pretty low bar for him, just trying to play in a major,” Schembechler said. “The first one he plays in will be very exciting, but I think it will be the first of many.”

This story originally written by Steve Doerschuk for the Canton Repository

(Napa, California)–The 2022/2023 PGA TOUR Season kicked off at the Fortinet Championship at the Silverado Resort in Napa, California and Justin Lower’s name sat atop the leaderboard for the entire tournament.

Justin held the lead after a first round score of 9-Under Par 63 on Thursday, which included two chip-ins.

Friday/Saturday rounds of 71-69 left Lower atop the leaderboard thru 54 holes with a one shot lead to start the final round.

Sunday’s final round presented difficult conditions with blustery winds and frequent rain throughout the round as temperatures did not climb above the mid-60s. Lower hung tough and was tied for the lead thru 10 holes. He ended the event at 12 under par, in a tie for 4th place.

NAPA, Calif. – When Justin Lower chipped in for the second time of the day at Silverado Resort’s North Course, his new caddie, Chad Gonzales, turned to the other caddies in his threesome and said, “Time to go buy a lottery ticket.”

It was that type of day for Lower, who holed out on Nos. 5 and 7 en route to making birdie on the half the holes and opening a three-stroke lead when was play was suspended due to darkness in the first round of the Fortinet Championship.

Lower was the hard-luck loser, who three-jacked the 72nd hole of the regular season-ending Wyndham Championship from 61 feet to miss out on the FedEx Cup playoffs and, even worse, lose his status. In the aftermath, he gave an emotional interview.

Lower was exiled to the Korn Ferry Tour Finals to try to earn his card back. He had competed in the first two events and likely had locked up his Tour card for the new season with good finishes, but none of that mattered when six players defected to LIV Golf and Lower was suddenly full-exempt for the coming season for the first time in his career.

“It’s been kind of a whirlwind,” he said. “It sucked but it turned out for the better. … I’m just happy to be here.”

And taking advantage of his opportunity he did. Lower’s 63 was a career low for him on the PGA Tour and it marks the first time he’s held the lead after any round out a Tour event.

Story Written by Adam Schupak for Golfweek.com

NEWBURGH, Ind. – The dogleg-right, par-4 18th hole at Victoria National GC plays to 432 yards on the scorecard.

The club’s famed finishing hole bends around a visually intimidating pond, with players picking their proverbial poison when determining an angle of attack off the tee.  

The Korn Ferry Tour has competed at Victoria National since 2012, with no record of a player driving the green on No. 18.

That changed Friday at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance, as Brandon Matthews played boldly on his final hole. After a double bogey at the par-4 17th hole, Matthews needed eagle to advance to the weekend. The hole measured 368 yards on a direct line, with a carry of “somewhere around 330 to 340” yards over the water.

Matthews took the line and executed the shot. The ball landed on the front of the green and released to 15 feet.

Had he attempted such a shot in a practice round?

“Not directly at it … that’s a little crazy,” remarked Matthews. “Our line was … there are some red umbrellas on the clubhouse that we saw. That was kind of our line, if we had any bit of help at all.

“If I wasn’t in that position, I wouldn’t be hitting driver at the green … I love doing stuff like that. It’s fun.”

Matthews couldn’t convert the eagle; the ball slid just right of the hole. He made birdie to miss the cut by a shot, but he departs the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour with the ultimate prize: a PGA TOUR card for next season. The Temple alum won the Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard in Bogota in February en route to a spot in the top 25 on the Korn Ferry Tour Regular Season Eligibility Points List and his first TOUR card. He’ll debut on TOUR as a member at the Fortinet Championship later this month.

After Matthews’ playing partner Thomas Detry took an aggressive line off No. 18 tee, a patron remarked as such.

Matthews then turned around and upped the ante.

“Thomas Detry takes an aggressive line off 18 tee, and the guy behind us says, ‘That’s an aggressive line,’ and then Brandon turns to the guy and says, ‘You want to see an aggressive line? Watch this,’” remarked the group’s third member, Ben Martin, who matched a course-record 62 on Friday.

“We thought it might go in, when it was in the air, and then walking off the tee, he said he needed to make eagle to make the cut. We were all pulling for him; that was pretty cool. I said, ‘I don’t think Fazio had this in mind when he designed the 18th hole.’”

“The guy might’ve had a couple cocktails,” laughed Matthews. “He’s like, ‘Well that’s an aggressive line.’ I’m like, ‘You want to see an aggressive line, buddy? I’ll show you an aggressive line.’ So that was kind of fun.”

Despite falling one shot shy of the cut line, Matthews found a silver lining in the situation. He’ll enjoy a couple extra days at home with his fiancée Danielle and their dog, in advance of the TOUR season.

And he provided a parting message of gratitude for the Korn Ferry Tour.

“I’m beyond grateful for everybody that I’ve met,” Matthews said. “The effort put in is beyond belief. I’m looking forward to representing (the Korn Ferry Tour) well.”

Just as he did on his final hole as a Korn Ferry Tour pro.  

Brandon Matthews will begin his rookie season on the PGA TOUR in September for the start of the 2022/2023 season. In the midst of the best year of his young career, Matthews has secured his PGA TOUR membership thanks to excellent performance on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Through the first six months of the year, Matthews notched his first career victory on the KFT circuit in Colombia the week after a runner-up finish in Panama.

Matthews has received sponsor exemption invitations to compete in back-to-back weeks on the PGA TOUR at the 3M Open in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit Michigan. Earlier in the season, Matthews qualified for the US OPEN where he made the cut and also received an exemption to the Wells Fargo Championship.

Justin Lower is trending at just the right time of the PGA TOUR season.

In his last twelve starts, dating back to March, the TOUR rookie has made the cut nine times and posted four Top-16 finishes including two Top-10 finishes at 8th place at the Barbasol Championship and 10th place at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

With three events remaining in the regular season, Lower is “on the bubble” for a birth into the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs in his very first season on TOUR. His schedule to finish the regular season includes:

Lower’s diverse portfolio of sponsorships includes: PXG Golf Equipment, Lower.com, Holderness and Bourne Apparel, Titleist, Footjoy, Litehouse Foods, The Emblem Source, No Laying Up and Black Hills IP.

Jun. 13—A whirlwind week for Dupont native Brandon Matthews is over. Another is just beginning.

Six days after securing a spot in this week’s U.S. Open, the 27-year-old golfer locked up his spot on the PGA Tour for the 2022-23 season.

Matthews came into the Korn Ferry Tour’s BMW Championship needing a finish of 36th or better to lock up his PGA Tour card. He placed tied for 15th by putting together four straight rounds in the 60s, including a closing 4-under 67 that featured a pair of eagles in a four-hole stretch.

“It’s great,” Matthews said. “You know, obviously I wasn’t thinking about trying to finish tied for 36th or anything, just trying to continuously have good weeks, play good, trending in the right direction and obviously some good momentum going into this week.”

Playing in the U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, on the heels of a career-changing week might seem like a dream. Matthews views it differently.

“It’s reality now, right?” Matthews said. “It’s something that I’ve wanted to do my entire life. The fact that I officially achieved it today is amazing, but I’ve got to keep my head down here and continue to play some good golf to round out the year because if I can lock up that No. 1 spot by the end of the year, that’s a massive deal.

“It gets me into the U.S. Open next year guaranteed. It gets me into all the invitationals, so it gets me a lot better status than say, finishing fifth or 10th on the money list. Being able to do that is a big deal and that’s where my focus is going to be for the remainder of the year.”

As for right now, that focus will turn toward his first major championship, which will be played at a course he knows and likes. Matthews reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur at Brookline in 2013.

“It’s not like I’m going to a golf course I’ve never played or I’m very unfamiliar with,” Matthews said. “I’m not only familiar with it, I have very good memories there. So, it’s exciting that my game is heading in the direction it’s heading and I’m going to a place I have very good memories at and a course I feel very comfortable on.”

Sunday’s final round was just the sendoff Mathews needed.

He knocked in an eagle putt on No. 2 and duplicated that on No. 5, followed by a birdie on No. 6 that put him in a great frame of mind.

“One hundred percent,” Matthews said. “I missed a 5-footer for birdie on No. 4. I hit a really good putt but misread it, and left two putts dead in the heart on one and three. I’m standing there on the seventh tee where, if I hit a couple putts harder and make that 5-footer, I’m 8 under and I’m only a couple shots off the lead.

“So, again, everything is trending in the right direction. Whether it’s a couple putts that fall, you’re not making that one little mistake per round. And just being really conscious of everything this week. Obviously, U.S. Opens are a completely different animal than anything else in golf. So, just do the proper preparation, make all the right decisions and I think we’re going to be in good shape come the end of the week.”

Those minor mistakes get magnified in a major way at the U.S. Open, but Matthews is more than optimistic.

“It’s a completely different kind of golf tournament, but it’s just another tournament on the schedule this year that I have an opportunity to win,” Matthews said. “It’s just a little bit of a very, very small mistake here or there. They’re basically once a round. So if we can clean that up and clean it up this week, I think we can have a really big week up there.

“I tell everybody, if I didn’t think I could go into this week and win, I need to go find another job. I think I can be one of the best players in the world and that’s what I’m working toward. For me to go into this week and be incredibly nervous, obviously I’m very excited, but to be incredibly nervous and not totally believe in myself would defeat the purpose of what I’ve been working on and the way I’ve been approaching things for a long time.”

Story Written by Marty Myers for the Scranton Times Tribune

Will Wilcox and Brian Richey have each received a Sponsor Exemption/Invitation to compete on the Korn Ferry Tour at the BMW Charity Pro-Am in Greenville, South Carolina.

The start marks Wilcox’s first of 2022 and his journey back to professional golfer. Earlier this year, Will courageously told his story of opioid and drug addiction, and the success he has had to date in seeking rehabilition and treatment. The FirePit Collective helped Will make the announcement and tell his story. Will has received tremendous support from all over the world since making the announcement. Thanks to his status as a past champion on the Korn Ferry Tour circuit, Wilcox will be able to compete week in and week out with a successful week in Greenville at the BMW.

Korn Ferry Tour member Brian Richey has been posting consistently low scores in 2022, but has had a slow start in KFT events. After multiple successful Monday Qualifiers, Brian has narrowly missed a few KFT cuts to start the season. After a runner-up finish on the G Pro Tour last week where Brian was 19 under par in 54 holes, Tournament Director Michael McGovern was nice enough to extend the invitation allowing Brian to fully focus on his prep for the event and have no Monday Qualifying stress to start the week.

PGA TOUR Rookie Justin Lower has received a Sponsor Invite to compete at The Memorial, one of the PGA TOUR’s most prestigious events.

A past winner of the Jack Nicklaus Award, as the best player in the NAIA division while he competed for Malone University in Canton, Ohio. Lower is a Ohio native and still current resident.

The guy’s so long he voluntarily took driver out of the bag. The holes simply wouldn’t allow for it. It’s part of the deal when your “fairway finder” flies 330 yards.

Brandon Matthews, who’s in the field at this week’s Wells Fargo Championship on a sponsor’s invite, doesn’t yet play full-time on the PGA Tour. But he might just be the longest player in professional golf.

The name might ring a bell, too, for something other than being a bomber. The 27-year-old went viral in 2019 for the way he handled an unfortunate situation—he was in a playoff in a PGA Tour Latinoamerica event when a man with Down’s syndrome made a distracting noise in his backswing. Matthews missed the putt, lost the tournament and gained thousands of fans for the grace he showed, signing a glove for the fan and refusing to blame anyone but himself for the loss.

The gesture caught the eye of the Arnold Palmer family, who extended him an invite to play in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He missed the cut in his lone previous PGA Tour start and returned to the anonymity of mini-tour life, grinding away until winning the PGA Tour Latinoamerica’s Order of Merit and securing full status for the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour season. He finished T-2 in his third KFT event in February then won his fourth to all but lock up a PGA Tour card for next season.

MORE: Wells Fargo Championship DFS picks—Sergio Garcia’s stats paint a brutal picture

That’s the pertinent background info. Now, time for the fun part: his obscene length. Golf Digest editorial director Max Adler actually played alongside Matthews in the 2013 U.S. Amateur, and while Alder isn’t setting any speed records, he’d never been outdriven by 100-plus yards like he was that week. Repeatedly. And that was when Matthews was a teenager, before added some grown-adult strength. (And a fiancée, who’s on-site this week).

Matthews’ dad taught him the game and did so in a distinctly modern manner. Whereas many teachers previously prioritized accuracy, the growing consensus among modern instructors is to teach speed first. It’s a byproduct of the strokes-gained era, which has underscored how vital distance is in the professional game. By and large, the best players in the world crush the ball. So: Hit it far, then learn how to hit it straight. Matthews’ dad was ahead of his time.

“From a very young age I was just trying to hit it as hard as I can, so I developed power before I developed technique,” Matthews says. “So I think that was one of the main reasons why I hit it so far, because I just learned it at an early age, hit it as hard as you can.”

MORE: Greg Norman says players returned money to Saudi-back LIV Golf after Phil Mickelson’s comments

As he attempts to flash the guns at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farms, Matthews comes into the week off three straight missed cuts on the Korn Ferry Tour. He also ranks “only” 34th on that circuit in driving distance at 307 yards. That stat can be misleading even on the PGA Tour—only certain holes are measured, and 305 yards on firm turf in Texas is not the same as 305 yards on spongy kikuyu in Southern California. It’s the same story on the Korn Ferry Tour; driving distance simply isn’t a reliable stat for telling you who the longest players are. That’s especially true for Matthews, who has been like Aquaman without his trident in recent weeks.

“Two out of the last three weeks I took driver out of the bag,” Matthews said. “And it’s just so painful to do because for me, I’ve been hitting my driver so well for the past few years. We just looked at golf courses, my caddie and I, Colton [Heisey], the last few weeks and it just doesn’t fit anywhere. There’s not a hole that we can hit it. You know, when I do have driver in the bag, obviously there’s a big advantage there, especially if I’m hitting it well and consistent and I feel good with it. So I do feel good with it this week and it is nice to have that thing back in the bag.”

Per his longtime coach, Dale Gray, Matthews’ clubhead speed with driver is around 135 miles per hour. His 5-iron flies 231 and can carry the d-stick up to 340 when he goes at one.

“Super long arms, wide arc, it’s unlike I’ve seen,” Gray says, his face glowing like a man who knows how lucky he is to be working with that kind of speed.

Story by Dan Rapaport for Golf Digest

Hank Lebioda, Brandon Matthews and Tim Petrovic have signed long-term endorsement deals with DemandScience, one of the PGA TOUR’s newest Official Marketing Partners.

Full Press Release:

DANVERS, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–DemandScience, a global B2B data company that partners with customers to upgrade their sales pipelines, today announced new brand ambassador partnerships with eight world-class professional golfers currently playing on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and Korn Ferry Tour.

These new partnerships align with the company’s mission to provide decision-makers with the right information at the right time and are part of DemandScience’s commitment to the sport of golf, which includes being named the “Official B2B Sales Pipeline Generation Sponsor of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions” in February.

The talented lineup of DemandScience brand ambassadors includes professional golfers Keegan Bradley, Nick Watney and Hank Lebioda from the PGA TOUR, Tim Petrovic from PGA TOUR Champions, and Brandon Matthews, Trevor Werbylo, Ben Griffin and Rob Oppenheim from the Korn Ferry Tour. Each of these outstanding athletes will use DemandScience-branded yardage books during play as they utilize information and insights to determine their best competitive move.

“It is an honor to be working with DemandScience and I look forward to a great partnership, both on and off the golf course,” said Keegan Bradley, a four-time winner on the PGA TOUR. “This is also the first time I’ve had a yardage book sponsor, which shows that they truly understand everything involved in being a competitor – preparation, data and situational insight are essential to making the best shot possible.”

Bradley has deep New England roots. He went to high school in the Boston area not far from DemandScience offices and was the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 2 individual golf state champion. Bradley has won four professional tournaments, including the PGA Championship, has represented the United States in the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, and is a former PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year winner.

“Becoming an Official Marketing Partner of the PGA TOUR is just the beginning of our company’s commitment to the sport of golf. We are honored to have such an incredible team of brand ambassadors as we continue to align our B2B data business with the needs of athletes and customers alike,” said DemandScience Chair and CEO Peter Cannone. “Professional golf’s ability to reach B2B sales and marketing professionals, as well as C-suite decision-makers, is the most valuable in sports and through these new relationships we will continue to share our message with millions of fans.”

DemandScience sponsors the Wind Gauge during NBC Sports and Golf Channel coverage, providing viewers with wind speeds and direction which could be a determining factor during player shot selection, and will be seen again in August for PinPoint Greens presented by DemandScience. The company also has a presence in programming throughout PGA TOUR media properties and hosting at select PGA TOUR events.

Click here to learn more about DemandScience’s work with its PGA TOUR brand ambassadors, the PGA TOUR, The Boston Bruins, and the company’s charitable sponsorships of First Tee, GreenLight Fund, and the Boston Bruins Foundation.

BOGOTA, Colombia – As four players held a share of the lead on the final hole of regulation, Brandon Matthews’ eagle-three at the par-5 18th of Country Club de Bogota’s Lagos course capped a birdie-birdie-eagle finish and a one-stroke victory at the Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard.

Matthews’ first Korn Ferry Tour victory came in his 50th Tour start. The 2020-21 PGA TOUR Latinoamérica Order of Merit winner, Matthews began the final round in T3 position and reached 19-under par for the week, one stroke ahead of runner-up finishers Ryan McCormick and Ben Griffin, with a 5-under 66 Sunday.

“It’s pretty special,” an emotional Matthews said. “My game has been trending in the right direction for the past few years – been playing really, really good golf. Support system I’ve had is absolutely unbelievable. I can’t thank everyone enough. My fiancée has been unbelievable and she’s supported me through everything. I can’t wait to get home to her, my dog, and I can’t wait to see my dad, share this with him, because without them I wouldn’t be here.

“Growing up as a kid, hitting balls for hours upon hours, dreaming of this, it’s pretty awesome to see it come true.”

Matthews made the turn at 1-under par, as bogeys at Nos. 7 and 9 dampened his birdies from Nos. 3, 5 and 6. The Temple University alum parred the first four holes of the back nine and squandered a birdie at the par-4 14th with a bogey at the par-3 15th. It looked as though Matthews was headed for a second consecutive top-five, but a win appeared out of reach.

Instead, the 27-year-old caught fire and birdied the par-4 16th and 17th, and hit a 9-iron to 5 feet and poured in his eagle putt on the 72nd hole.

“Hit a great drive on No. 16, set up a perfect little pitch in there that I honestly thought I made, which was great to get there, because I knew that I was going to have to do something special down the stretch to either win or get a playoff,” Matthews said. “Hit a great drive on No. 17. Didn’t hit the best pitch shot. Left it about 20 feet short. Such a good putt there. I made that dead center, and that was so big for me, especially with some of the putts I hit in the middle of the round. To be able to get there and really make that putt was awesome.

“And coming down the 18th, I hit three perfect golf shots,” Matthews continued. “Hit a great drive over the trees. Hit a really nice little cut 9-iron in there to about 5 feet behind it, and it was fun going into that putt realizing that this could be the one.”

The win today may have been the first career Korn Ferry Tour victory for Matthews, but he won three times on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica (twice in 2020-21, once in 2017). This week’s win also followed a near-miss at The Panama Championship last week, where Matthews finished T2 and one stroke behind the champion.

Matthews, a native Pennsylvanian, turned professional out of Temple in 2016. He enjoyed immediate success on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica in 2017, winning his second start and adding a solo third three months later. A T42 finish at Final Stage of the 2017 Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament awarded him conditional status, but Matthews finished 82nd in the 2018 regular season standings and had to retain status via Final Stage at year’s end. Matthews missed 14 cuts in 21 starts on Tour in 2019, bouncing him back to PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.

“If PGA TOUR Latinoamérica didn’t exist, I wouldn’t be here,” Matthews said. “It’s pretty amazing what’s culminated out of all that and where I am now compared to when I first got out here.”

Matthews already had fully exempt status like the Korn Ferry Tour’s tournament winners, but now he is well positioned to earn a PGA TOUR card at season’s end, as he moved to No. 1 in the Regular Season Points Standings. With 766 points, Matthews sits 245-plus points ahead of the other three winners this season.

“In my opinion, I think I should be in contention and be winning golf tournaments all the time,” Matthews said. “My game feels great. My mental has been really, really good over the last few years. If we can continue on this path, I’m pretty excited to see what we can do.”

The 2022 Korn Ferry Tour season continues Thursday, February 17 with the first round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood National Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

Story Originally Written by Preston Edwards for PGATOUR.com

For the most part, Korn Ferry Tour pros have a straightforward season-ending goal. The PGA TOUR is in their sights – whether they want to make their debut or return to the biggest stage in the sport.

Brandon Matthews says he’s different. It might even sound weird, he admits. There’s no goal. There’s just living, every day, as a new opportunity.

And now he’s trying to take advantage of the best stretch of golf he’s ever played to reach the TOUR – even though he doesn’t necessarily have that circled on paper or typed in his phone.

“I try not to get ahead of myself and look into the future for what’s ahead. I just think about what I’m doing during that day and that week and my process for that,” said Matthews, fresh off last week’s runner-up finish at The Panama Championship, his career-best Korn Ferry Tour showing.

“I love this game so much. I’m fortunate enough every day to get to play it.”

Matthews entered 2022 on the heels of a two-win season on PGA TOUR Latinoamerica and the No. 1 spot on the Tour’s money list during the combined 2020-21 season, earning fully exempt Korn Ferry Tour status in the process.

Through the early part of the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour slate, he has made the cut in three straight events and was just one shot back of Carson Young’s winning total in Panama.

He had a slight miscommunication with his caddie coming down the stretch Sunday in Panama, he said, and thought his 25-footer on the 72nd hole was to tie the clubhouse lead. It wasn’t the case, but after draining the putt, he said he was “thrilled” with how he was able to handle what he perceived as final-round, final-hole pressure.

That feeling was partly a reflection of how he’s matured in every aspect of golf, and life, over the last few years.

He has a new swing coach, Dale Gray, who is based in New York but frequents Florida to see Matthews and his whip-strong action. Brian Symonds, based in Florida as the owner of Winston Trails GC, has become “instrumental” in getting Matthews to display the type of form he has shown over the past 12 months.

“It’s honestly incredible how good my short game has got in the year since I’ve been going to see (Symonds),” said Matthews. “You can get taught all you want, but you still have to put in the work. I’ve been trying to put in as much work as I possibly can. Treat my body correctly. It’s been a great progression over the last couple of years.”

When asked about the rest of his support system, there’s the briefest of pauses. Not because he doesn’t know who else has been helpful, but it’s almost like Matthews is unable to express how important Danielle Maslany, his fiancée, has been to him.

“There’s no one better,” said Matthews. “She’s unbelievable how she’s supported me throughout with what I want to do. It’s incredible … I’m very lucky to have someone who supports me like that.”

They’re getting married on September 24 back in their home state of Pennsylvania – “I’m going to let her do the planning,” said Matthews, laughing.

Despite his new Floridian residency (Maslany owns a full-service marketing agency in Jupiter – DM Creative House), Matthews had been keen to give back to an area that had given him so much as a golfer.

Last year, he organized a pro-am and charity event that raised $50,000 as a scholarship fund for young golfers in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area. The Country Club of Scranton hosted the day. The professionals played for a $50,000 purse, while Billy Pabst Jr. – a young star who is heading to Penn State to play golf – was the first recipient of the scholarship.

Matthews admits he was running around “like a chicken with its head cut off” trying to make phone calls and managing a type of workflow that he isn’t used to, but he said it was fun.

“Normally I just wake up and all I think about is what kind of shot I need to hit,” said Matthews. “Happy to think about it, obviously, from a different aspect and go on the business side a little bit.

“To raise a lot of money for our area and give such a great kid a scholarship and a membership to The Country Club of Scranton was all worth it.”

That event came at the end of 2021, after Matthews completed his big-time season on PGA TOUR Latinoamerica. His celebrated college years well behind him, there’s one thing that Matthews has been able to bring with him throughout his professional career – his distance.

The 6-foot-4 Matthews admits he never tried to hit the ball far; it has just been a natural asset. The last time he played on the Korn Ferry Tour long enough for the data to be collected – 2019 – he averaged more than 330 yards a pop.

The way he controls that distance has matured alongside every other part of his game. He still describes his length as a difference-maker, though.

“Being able to manage that and reel it back and look at distance as an advantage … I can hit 3-iron off the tee and have the same distance coming in as everyone else does with driver off the tee,” he explained. “There are so many different things that go into that and realize what makes it an advantage and how to use that properly. It’s been a great learning curve.”

That’s what Matthews has been doing as he inches ever closer to earning a PGA TOUR card – learning. About golf, life, and how to balance it all out.

“I’m just trying to do the best I possibly can for the day ahead,” said Matthews, “and if I can do that properly, it’ll create some pretty good results.”

Story Written by Adam Stanley for PGA TOUR. Originally Posted Here.

CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. — The Country Club of Scranton hosted the inaugural NEPA Invitational this weekend. DuPont-native Brandon Matthews spearheaded this idea – his way of giving back to the community. All the proceeds went to junior golf in the area, the William Lawler Foundation Scholarship, and to local non-profits, through the Scranton Area Foundation.

“It’s been great!” Matthews told Newswatch 16. “People have traveled from all over to come in and play, and the guys love this place. So, I’m really excited that everyone’s having a good time. The response has been great and I think it’s going to grow for the years to come.”

It’s a great starting point for the inaugural event. Matthews helped raise $50,000 for the Scranton Area Foundation. 

Content Originally Pos

Grant Hirschman fired a seven under par 65 at the Sanderson Farms Championship Monday Qualifier to earn a spot in the PGA TOUR field for the week.

The 2021 Sanderson Farms Championship marked Hirschman’s second career start on the PGA TOUR. His first start as a professional came at the 2018 Fed Ex St. Jude Classic in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee after the conclusion of his incredible collegiate career at University of Oklahoma where played in every event for four years, notched three individual victories including the 2018 Big 12 Conference Championship, was captain of the 2017 National Championship Team, and was a Three Time All-American.

Hirschman took full advantage of the opportunity at the Sanderson Farms Championship, firing rounds of 70-67-66-69. His total of 16 under par secured a tie for 17th place finish, and the largest payday of his career. Hirschman was 11th in Strokes Gained Around the Green and 10th in Strokes Gained Putting for the week.

Hirschman is supported by PXG Golf Equipment, Srixon Golf Balls, Veritex Bank, Silver Leaf Wealth Management, Black Quail Apparel, and Nike Shoes

Korn Ferry Tour pro Grant Hirschman fired a seven under par 65 at the Monday Qualifier in Jackson, Mississippi to earn medalist honors and a spot in this week’s PGA TOUR event at the Sanderson Farms Championship.

This will mark Hirschman’s second career PGA TOUR start. He made his professional debut at the PGA TOUR’s Fed Ex St. Jude Classic in his hometown of Memphis in 2018. Grant made the cut in the event, and was in contention through 36 holes. He ended the week in a tie for 63rd with rounds of 68-69-72-74.

Justin Lower was still in doubt when he left the scorer’s tent Sunday at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance. He hadn’t looked at the PGA TOUR app besides to look at the Forme Tour scores throughout the week. He also hadn’t looked at the leaderboard all week, and he didn’t know if the 3-under 33 he’d put together on the back was enough to get him inside the Korn Ferry Tour Finals top 25 and secure his first PGA TOUR card.

He got his answer when he walked down the stairs and was greeted with a champagne and beer shower by his fellow players and caddies. Fittingly for the 11-year-pro, who missed his TOUR card by a single shot in 2018, it once again all came down to a shot – a 30-yard pitch on the 72nd hole. After losing his drive left on the 72nd hole and leaving his second shot 30 yards short, he hit a beautiful nipper to a foot and knocked it in for par and a T15 to send him to the PGA TOUR for the first time.

Choked up with emotion after, Lower struggled to find the words.

“No words really,” Lower said. “It means everything, and I don’t think this is it. I don’t think my journey is over at all. I think it’s just getting started.”

In typical Justin Lower class, though, he wasn’t thinking about himself but rather Taylor Montgomery, his fellow competitor who he’d knocked into the 26th spot. Montgomery had also finished 26th in the Regular Season standings and fallen just shy of his TOUR card.  

“Taylor Montgomery, if you’re listening, I’ve been in your spot before and I know it’s not any fun but oh man, you’re a heck of player and just keep grinding. Good things will happen,” Lower said. “To everyone back home, thank you for everything and that’s all I can say.”

Lower admittedly had watched the video of himself missing a putt on the 72nd hole in 2018 to miss his card by a shot “too many times to count” but realized he needed to relive successes not failures. He even started seeing a therapist two to three years ago to work on removing the negative thoughts, and it has helped. He now thinks of the negative thoughts as being like waves at the ocean, coming and going, and all that matters is where his feet are. So, he started watching the video of him 2017 making a birdie on the last hole at Q-School to secure guaranteed starts instead.

During the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, every time he needed to perform, he shined. Whether it was the five birdies in a row to close out the second round at the start of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals in Boise to make the cut on the number or the back nine 33 on the one of the hardest golf courses of the season, Lower brought it. It’s something he can lean on going forward as he makes the jump to the TOUR.

“[I learned] that I can do it,” Lower said. “I told myself this week something I’ve really never told myself on the golf course and that’s just trust yourself. And I told myself that most of today and a lot of this week. And it’s something I’ve never really told myself. So, something that I just have to take into the long run for sure.”

In total, his journey to the TOUR included six trips to Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School. It took him three trips before he made it to final stage and earned guaranteed starts and countless heartbreaks.

“This is just so gratifying for the hard work and just extremely thankful,” Lower said.

“It’s just amazing what one shot can mean in the long run.”

Story written by Nick Parker for PGATOUR.com

The marathon that has been the 2020/2021 Korn Ferry Tour Season, a forty-six event wrap around schedule due to COVID-19, comes to a close this weekend in Evansville, Indiana at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship Presented by United Leasing which is played on arguably the most difficult course the Tour sees all year at Victoria National Golf Club.

Through the first two rounds, Justin Lower has positioned himself to be in contention for a PGA TOUR card in the final weekend of the season. Lower’s 2020/2021 season has been highlighted by two second place finishes in 2021 and a 4th place at the 2020 Boise Open. The runner-up finishes came to 4-Time PGA TOUR winner Chris Kirk at The King & Bear Classic at World Golf Village and at the BMW Charity Pro-AM to Mito Pereira who notched three wins on the Korn Ferry Tour in the marathon schedule to earn an immediate promotion to the PGA TOUR.

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Lower’s start in Evansville, two rounds of two under par 70, position him in a tie for 13th on the Leaderboard. He is tied for second in the field for most birdies made through 36 holes with 14 and is 5th in the field for putts per green in regulation. However three double bogies, two of which have come on the 17th hole have kept him out of the tournament lead. At the mid-way point of the Tour Championship, Lower is projected 26th on the Points List and the Top 25 at week’s end will earn their PGA TOUR membership.