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Bob Sowards shoots 70 to win event No. 2 of PGA Tournament Series presented by Golf Advisor

By Craig Dolch
Published on
Bob Sowards shoots 70 to win event No. 2 of PGA Tournament Series presented by Golf Advisor

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (Dec. 2, 2016) -- The competition keeps getting younger, but it doesn’t seem to matter to Bob Sowards.

The 48-year-old Sowards showed once again Friday why he’s the king of the PGA Tournament Series, winning Event No. 2 at PGA Golf Club. Sowards shot a 2-under 70 to finish at 6-under 138, one ahead of Jeffrey Schmid.

“I played really solid,” said Sowards, the Director of Instruction at Kinsdale Golf & Fitness Club in Powell, Ohio. “It was a difficult day with the wind coming out of the opposite direction. I just kept hitting solid shots. My only bogeys were when I pulled the wrong club.”

Sowards birdied four of his first five holes on the Dye Course – he bogeyed the other – to move into the lead. His 10-foot birdie at the 17th hole proved to be the winner.

At 48, Sowards has started concentrating on qualifying for the PGA Tour Champions. He has hired a fitness therapist to help him improve his flexibility.

“I just love the competition,” he said. “We usually get really good fields here, a lot of good, young players coming up. It’s a challenge to see how you can compete.”

Schmid started the day tied for the lead with two others, but made three consecutive bogeys around the turn. He birdied three of his last seven holes, including a 12-footer at the closing hole, but just missed winning his second PGA Tournament Series event.

“There’s some really good players out here, and you can’t afford to give away a shot here or there. I’m not that good,” said Schmid, who works at Brown Deer Golf Course in Iowa City.

“I lost to a really good player. I wish I would have played better, but I’m happy with where my game is at.”

Rob Corcoran (73) of Melbourne, Fla., and Shawn Warren (74) shared third place at 141. Zac Oakley (69) of Palm City , Brian Cairns (69), Omar Uresti (71), Corey McAlarney (73) and Dakun Chang (74) tied for fifth at 141.

The PGA Tournament Series is presented by Golf Advisor.