Tag: Patrick Newcomb

APGA Farmers winner Patrick Newcomb to give Korn Ferry Tour exemption to runner-up Tim O’Neal

The tour’s CEO called the move “a perfect example of the inclusivity and togetherness” of the APGA.

Last weekend Patrick Newcomb curled in a birdie putt on the final hole to win by one over Tim O’Neal, whose birdie putt lipped out on the 72nd hole at Torrey Pines in the APGA Farmers Insurance Open.

The win earned Newcomb an exemption into the Korn Ferry Tour’s 2022 Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation, May 5-8 at The Grove in College Grove, Tennessee, but the 31-year-old Murray State grad has decided to pass his exemption on to O’Neal.

“We are thrilled that Patrick Newcomb’s request to pass along his exemption to Tim O’Neal has been approved. Tim has been a tremendous player on the tour since its inception and has been an incredible role model to the younger generation on our tour today,” said the APGA Tour’s CEO Ken Bentley. “He proved on Sunday at Torrey Pines that he still has the game to compete on PGA Tour level courses and it is exciting to see him get the opportunity at the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation. Patrick’s decision to pass along this exemption to his friend Tim is a perfect example of the inclusivity and togetherness that best represents what the APGA Tour stands for.”

O’Neal, 49, has three wins on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica, most recently in 2016 at the Casa de Campo Dominican Republic Open, and three additional APGA Tour titles. He also qualified for the 2015 U.S Open and competed in the 2019 Genesis Open as the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption recipient.

Since 2010 the APGA Tour, a non-profit organization, has been striving to help prepare African Americans and other minority golfers to compete and win at the highest levels of professional golf.

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Patrick Newcomb makes birdie on final hole to win by one at Torrey Pines as APGA Tour shines in TV debut

“It wasn’t my finest hour on the greens,” said Newcomb, “finally holed one there at the last.”

The APGA Tour sure didn’t disappoint in its first-ever nationally televised event.

Playing the South Course at Torrey Pines just a day after Luke List won the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open, veteran Tim O’Neal and Patrick Newcomb stood on the 18th tee tied for the lead at even par. Both found the par-5 green in three, setting up a putting contest from inside six feet for birdie and the win. Newcomb was first to play, curling  his putt into the bottom of the hole while O’Neal’s caught the left edge and missed.

“It was a long day. We’re out there for a long, long time. It’s a tough course, tested everybody,” said Newcomb after the round on Golf Channel. “It wasn’t my finest hour on the greens, finally holed one there at the last.”

The win is Newcomb’s first on tour and follows a strong 2021 season where in six starts the 31-year-old didn’t finish worse than T-10. O’Neal, winner of the 2019 APGA Scottsdale at TPC Scottsdale, finished runner-up with Marcus Byrd third at 4 over and three players T-4 at 5 over: Willie Mack III, Trey Valentine and Kevin Hall.

Since 2010 the APGA Tour, a non-profit organization, has been striving to help prepare African Americans and other minority golfers to compete and win at the highest levels of professional golf.

“I think it’s great. This tour has been fantastic, I’ve played it all year,” said Newcomb of the APGA. “This was a great spot for me. The guys are great and I’m just excited to get the win.”

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