Tag: Corales Golf Course

Billy Horschel returns to winner’s circle after claiming 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship

Horschel wins for the eighth time in his PGA Tour career.

Kevin Tway hasn’t won since the 2018 Safeway Open. Wesley Bryan’s last win was the 2017 RBC Heritage. For Charley Hoffman, it’s been since the 2016 Valero Texas Open.

They’re all going to have to keep waiting, however, after Billy Horschel pulled away late to claim the 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship, the second opposite-field tournament of the season.

Horschel closed with a bogey-free 9-under 63, his scorecard featuring an eagle and seven birdies, including four in a row on Nos. 2 through 5. He finished a couple holes ahead of the final groups, but didn’t have to wait long to see his four-day total of 23-under 265 prove to be more than enough for his eighth career win.

It’s been less than two years since his last victory, the 2022 Memorial, and he does have a pair of top-10s in 2024, but he failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs last season and has seen his world ranking plunge to 84th. He was one of two FedEx Cup champions in the field in the Dominican Republic.

MORE: Corales Puntacana Championship scores

“It’s all over the place right now, to tell you the truth,” Horschel said after his win when asked about his emotions. “Thinking back to where I was almost a year ago and to where I am now, I’ve seen the signs. Obviously the game’s been in a really good spot all year, the stats have shown it. I’ve finally gotten some results over the past month.”

Missing out on the Masters and then this week’s signature event meant Horschel had to accept the trip to the Dominican.

“Listen, I mean, I haven’t been in an opposite field event for a long time,” he said. “Sometimes you’ve got to take your medicine because of where you’ve been in the game. And I was happy that I came down here, I played really well and I came out with a victory.

“And it’s been a great week. Puntacana Resort’s been unbelievable, the golf course has been unbelievable, the staff, everyone involved has been awesome. I’ve enjoyed my time here. It’s just nice to finish that off with a victory.”

Wesley Bryan, bidding to become the second sponsor exemption to win this season, shot a final-round 68 and finished 21 under to nab solo second. Tway was solo third at 19 under. Hoffman and Justin Lower tied for fourth at 18 under.

The Corales Golf Course is a par 72 that measures 7,670 yards, making it one of the longest courses on the PGA Tour in 2024. The Tom Fazio-design opened in 2010. Wind is almost always an issue and the layout boasts six oceanside holes. The closing three-hole stretch is called the “Devil’s Elbow.”

Horschel earned $725,000 for the win.

This PGA Tour pro is off to another strong start at the Corales Puntacana Championship, where he won in 2018

Brice Garnett views this week more like a vacation rather than a golf tournament. 

Brice Garnett views this week more like a vacation rather than a golf tournament.

How could he not at Puntacana Resort & Club? There’s food everywhere surrounding the resort. There’s beautiful views at the Corales Golf Course. And it’s a trip to the Dominican Republic, where Garnett has his only PGA Tour win back in 2018.

“Yeah, it’s just so easy. I feel like it’s an easy week,” Garnett said. “It’s kind of how I approach the weeks outside the (U.S.). I’ve had quite a bit of success really playing island golf.”

After an opening 6-under 66 in gusty conditions, it’s hard to argue against his case. Garnett tied for the lead with Ben Martin and one shot in front of Matt Wallace after the opening round at the Corales Puntacana Championship, this week’s opposite-field event.

A month ago at the Honda Classic, Garnett was in contention before a closing 77 at PGA National. A week later, he once again shot 77 in the final round at the Puerto Rico Open.

“Just waiting and patiently hoping that we can get all four days together here before long,” he said. “So just kind of keeping our nose down and keep on grinding. We know it will all come together eventually.”

Martin joined Garnett with a bogey-free performance. Martin also has one PGA Tour win, coming at the 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

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Ben Martin rides hot putter to first-round lead in 2022 Corales Puntacana Championship

Martin needed just 26 putts to shoot a 6-under 66 on the Corales Golf Course in the Dominican Republic.

Ben Martin had six birdies over a seven-hole stretch Thursday in the opening round of the 2022 Corales Puntacana Championship as he looks to end a PGA Tour winless streak of more than seven years.

The 2014 Shriners Children’s Open champ is making his fourth start on Tour this season. He needed just 26 putts and posted a 30 on his back nine en route to a 6-under 66 on the Corales Golf Course in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, to take a one-shot lead over Adam Schenk, who shot a 5-under 67.

Schenk is making his 400th start on the PGA Tour. He’s one of five golfers to make the cut all four times the tournament has been played.

Vaughn Taylor, Hayden Buckley, Graeme McDowell and Kiradech Aphibarnrat are all tied for third at 4 under.

Defending champion Joel Dahmen, who made the Corales Puntacana Championship his maiden Tour win a year ago, is tied for 32nd after shooting a 71.

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