NEWS

Zac Oakley shoots 66, wins Event No. 2 of PGA Tournament Series

By Craig Dolch
Published on
Zac Oakley shoots 66, wins Event No. 2 of PGA Tournament Series

PORT ST. LUCIE – Zac Oakley’s second swing of the day turned out to be an omen – even if he didn’t see the result.

Oakley holed a 110-yard wedge on the first hole for eagle Tuesday and added a traditional eagle four holes later, jump-starting a 6-under 66 that enabled him to win Event No. 2 of the PGA Tournament Series at PGA Golf Club.

“The first hole I didn’t see it land,” Oakley said. “My partner said it went in the hole. I went up there and it was in the hole. I felt good after that.”

Oakley felt even better when he eagled the par-5 fifth hole on the Dye Course, making a 20-footer. He clinched the victory with a tap-in birdie on the par-5 17th, finishing at 8-under 136, two shots ahead of Danny Balin (68) and Brett Walker (68)

“This is definitely my biggest PGA win since I’ve been in the program,” said Oakley, a part-time Palm City resident who caddies at famed Seminole Golf Club. Oakley was congratulated after the victory by his father, former Senior British Open champion Pete Oakley.

Balin was bidding to win his second consecutive PGA Tournament Series event. The Rockville, Md., native had four birdies in a five-hole stretch after the turn to move into a tie for the lead.

But Balin three-putted the 17th hole from 15 feet, and when Oakley birdied the hole, the two-shot swing left Balin tied for second with Walker of Jupiter.

“I thought I needed to make the putt on 17 and I just misjudged the speed,” Balin said. “I was playing catchup with Zac all day.”

Oakley earned $5,000 for the victory.

Marc Issler of Jupiter was alone in fourth with a 67-139. Three players tied for fifth at 3-under 141: Omar Uresti (69), Andy Hansen (71) and Jonathan Mansfield (71).

The PGA Tournament Series is presented by Golf Advisor.