Woodland Sharp in First Open Victory
Monday, June 17, 2019

    Gary Woodland put an exclamation point on his first U. S. Open victory yesterday on the 18th green at Pebble Beach, dunking a long birdie putt to get to 13 under par and a three-stroke victory over defending champ Brooks Koepka. Woodland took home a check for $2,250,000 for his troubles. 

    Koepka, who has become the best Seminole alum to ever play the PGA Tour, finished at 10 under, followed by an august group at 7 under - Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose and Chez Reavie. Schauffele turned in the best Sunday round among the leaders, a 4-under-par 67.

    Best rounds in the finale were the 66s posted by Webb Simpson, who tied for 16th at 3 under, and unknown Marcus Kinhult, who finished at even par. 

    Tiger Woods got off to a horrendous start, bogeying four of the first six holes. But he turned it around for his horde of fans, birdieing 7 and 8, then four more holes on the back nine, to finish at 2-under 69. He wound up tied for 21st. 

    Gator Billy Horschel tied for 32nd at even par.

    The Tour heads for Cromwell, Conn., this week for the $7.2 million Traveler's Championship at TPC River Highlands. Ted Potter is taking another week off, but the field includes defending champ Bubba Watson, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Koepka, Francesco Molinari, Jason Day, Justin Thomas, Paul Casey, Tony Finau, Bryson DeChambeau and three players from across the sea named Kim.

     Koepka will be joined by fellow Seminoles Daniel Berger and rookie Hank Lebioda. Making his professional debut will be Viktor Hovland, who impressed everybody with his Open performance. He tied for 12th at 4 under, posting a 4-under-67 Sunday. Gator Brian Gay is also on board. 

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