Thompson, Cink in Top 20 in the Honda Classic

Cink got within a Four Shots of the Lead Before Falling Back

University of Alabama graduate Michael Thompson and Florence native Stewart Cink topped the list of finishers with ties to Alabama in the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic.

Thompson shot a final-round 3-under 67 to finish tied for 19^th place with Cink, who shot 72 in the final round. Each player earned $82,950.

Cink, a Georgia Tech grad, was on the cusp of contention after shooting 64 in the second round but went 70-72 on the weekend as Matt Jones surged to the win.

Brian Gay (Ft. Rucker) finished T46 at 282 and won $19,020.

Jason Dufner (Auburn) was the only other player with state ties to make the cut. He shot 72 in the final round and finished at 283 to earn $16,428.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 18: A pin flag is displayed during the first round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Champion course on March 18, 2021 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)

Players with state ties who failed to make it to the weekend at the Honda Classic included Patton Kizzire (Auburn), Matt Wallace (Jacksonville State), Robby Shelton (Alabama) and Graeme McDowell (UAB).

Several players from the state made the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Davis Riley (Alabama) and Lee Hodges (UAB) led the way, tying for 14^th place at the Chitimacha Louisiana Open and earning $10,200.

Riley closed with a 63 to finish at 10-under 274. Hodges shot 62 in the third round and closed with a 68 to also finish at 274.

Trey Mullinax (Birmingham/Alabama) tied for 23^rd after closing with a 67 for a 276 total. He earned $5,675. Blayne Barber (Auburn) tied for 56 at 283, earning $2,472. Dominic Bozelli (Auburn) missed the cut.

Roberto Diaz won the tournament, shooting 18-under 266.

Huntsville’s Janie Jackson (Alabama) returned to competitive golf after undergoing wrist surgery in December. Playing in the Symetra Tour’s season-opening Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic, Jackson, who also has LPGA Tour status, turned in rounds of 74-69-71-70 to finish at 4-under 284. That was good for a tie for 29^th place. She earned $1,906.

Gregg Dewalt is the editor of Alabama Golf News.