Florence native looks to keep momentum toward Q school
With PGA Tour Qualifying School on the horizon, Florence native Austin Gean picked up a victory and momentum earlier this week by winning the Alabama Openhttps://alabamanwfloridapga.com/.
The Central High School graduate shot 8-under 208 to edge Wesley Hunter of Fairhope by one shot. Three players were three were three shots back at 211.
Austin Gean said the win ended a 10-year quest to win the state’s biggest event. He pocketed a check for $12,500 for the win. Hunter earned $9,000.
“I have impatiently waited for 10-plus years to win the Alabama Open,” Gean said after winning at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill. “I’m very proud to finally get it done in my home state.”
The tournament was played on the Senator course that was set up at nearly 7.400 yards. Gean opened with a 3-under 69, one of only nine players that shot under par on the first day. He hit 16 greens and was one shot off the pace set by Morgan Slaton II.
Gean took the lead with a bogey-free second-round 66. He went into the final round with a one-shot lead over Slaton.
Gean’s putter didn’t stay as hot in the final round, but he used a two-putt birdie on the 17th hole and a solid par on the final hole to post 208. Hunter closed with a 68 to get within one shot and Ford Goldasich shot 65 to finish in a tie for third place with Slaton, who shot 75 in the final round. Kyle Sapp also shared third place with a closing 66.
“The final round was a mental grind all day until I had that two-putt birdie on the 17th hole,” Gean said. “I’m looking forward to the future as I’m continuing to try and make it to the PGA Tour. Hopefully this can help jumpstart it up for the remaining of this year as I’m gearing up for Q School again.”
Gregg Dewalt is the editor of Alabama Golf News
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Featured image: File photo courtesy of Arkansas Tech Athletics
