Events
Florida’s Zac Oakley (64) Wins Playoff to Claim Event #3 in PGA Tournament Series
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It wasn’t enough for Zac Oakley of Palm City, Florida, to fire an 8-under 64 Tuesday in Event No. 3 of the PGA Tournament Series.
He also had to birdie the first playoff hole to beat Brett Walker of Jupiter and win Event No. 3 at PGA Golf Club. Oakley made a 10-foot birdie at the 18th hole on the Wanamaker Course after both players finished at 10-under 134.
“As soon as I hit it, I knew it was in,” said Oakley, a PGA Teaching Professional at Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Delaware, who also caddies at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach during the winter.
“I finally made some putts today. I didn’t make anything yesterday (during a 70). I knew I was hitting it good. It was just a matter of time.”
Tuesday’s victory continued a torrid stretch for Oakley. He won three tournaments this summer in the Philadelphia PGA, including the Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship, to win Player of the Year with the lowest scoring average in the section’s history (68.9).
“This is the best I have putted in my career," he said. "I made a little tweak with my posture and setup before this tournament and I really felt good hitting the ball.
Oakley started the final round three shots behind leader Jamie Broce, but quickly moved into contention with four birdies and an eagle (he hit a 3-iron to 20 feet at the par-5 seventh) on the first eight holes. Oakley added three more birdies on the back nine before a bogey at the par-3 17th gave him the clubhouse lead with Walker two groups behind.
Walker overcame a double bogey at the par-3 sixth hole with an eagle at the par-5 seventh and added four birdies, including a key one at the par-5 16th, to force the playoff with a 6-under 66.
Jake Scott of Strongsville, Ohio, who won Event No. 1 and tied for second in Event No. 2, shot a 69 and tied for third place at 7-under 137 with Ben Kern (70) of Round Rock, Texas. Steven Delmar (67) of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was fifth at 6-under.
Top PGA Professionals Frank Esposito, Dick Mast, Mark Mielke, Alan Morin, Bob Sowards and Omar Uresti missed Event No. 3, as well as Event No. 4, because they are playing in this week’s final stage of PGA Tour Champions q-school near Tampa.
The PGA Tournament Series is Presented by GOLF ADVISOR.