Ohio’s Jake Scott Wins Event #1 in PGA Tournament Series

So much for it being difficult to follow a low round with another good score.

Jake Scott of Strongsville, OH., proved that Tuesday. A day after shooting a 6-under 65, Scott went even lower Tuesday, firing a blistering 10-under 61 to coast to a four-shot victory in Event No. 1 of the PGA Tournament Series at PGA Golf Club.

Scott started the final round with a two-shot lead and had nine birdies, an eagle and a bogey on the par-71 Ryder Course – firing nines of 31 and 30 – to finish at 16-under 126 and four shots ahead of Tyler Collet of John’s Island Club in Vero Beach.

“When you’re riding some momentum in a round, it can be hard to follow up a low score,” Scott said. “But the last few months, I have been playing better golf. I’ve just been focusing on hitting fairways and greens, and that frees you up to suddenly have a day where everything goes in.

“That’s what happened today. I think I only had 22 or 23 putts. I hit two par-5s in two and just missed the other two par-5s. I just didn’t make any mistakes and the putter got hot.”

Scott has had some success at PGA Golf Club before, winning the 2012 National Car Rental PGA Assistant Professional Championship. He played mini-tours prior to that and also played on the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Canada and the Forme Tour the last eight years.

Because of COVID-19, the 34-year-old Scott has had few playing opportunities the last two years. He returned to the Northern Ohio section to teach and now helps run a company called Pinsettergolf.com.

“I really like these three courses down here,” Scott said of PGA Golf Club. “If you strategize and don’t make mistakes, you can shoot some low scores.”

Collet, who qualified for this year's PGA Championship, shot a bogey-free 63 Tuesday to finish 12-under – a score that usually wins these events. But like the rest of the field, Collet was playing for second place in perfect weather conditions.

Ben Kern of Round Rock, TX., matched Collet’s 63 to finish tied for third with Bob Sowards (64) of Dublin, OH., at 10-under 132. Stephanie Connelly-Eisworth of Fleming Island, FL., also fired a 63 and tied for fifth place with Omar Uresti (65) of Austin, TX., and Dakun Chang (66) of North Palm Beach.

The PGA Tournament Series is Presented by GOLF ADVISOR.