Tag: Winco Foods Portland Open

Lee Hodges takes home KFT’s Portland Open title, earns U.S. Open start

With a steady 71, Hodges won at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, and has qualified for this year’s U.S. Open.

Lee Hodges is thrilled to have won the Korn Ferry Tour’s WinCo Foods Portland Open presented by KraftHeinz. And he’s even more excited about the doors it might open.

With a steady 71 highlighted by a birdie putt on the tournament’s final hole, Hodges won at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Oregon, but just as important, he’s now among the top five Korn Ferry Tour point leaders, meaning he has qualified for this year’s U.S. Open.

“It’s pretty cool because I didn’t feel like I had my best game this week,” Hodges said. “I mean, I played well, but like I didn’t feel like I was just like clicking on all cylinders and to get a win doing that is pretty special. I didn’t think I would be as nervous as I was last night, but I didn’t sleep a lot last night. You know I kind of tossed and turned.”

Hodges, a University of Alabama alum, was tied for the lead after 54 holes with Paul Barjon. Hodges opened the final round with a bogey but settled in after hitting a 30-foot putt on No. 2 for birdie.

“I played really nice golf,” he said. “I played proper golf which was nice to do on a Sunday when you’re leading. I didn’t take too many risks.”

Barjon, meanwhile, had a pair of double-bogeys on the front and made the turn at 39. He did claw back into contention down the stretch and finished in a tie for second with David Lipsky, Carl Yuan and Chad Ramey.

For Hodges, the opportunity to play Winged Foot this year at the U.S. Open — spots opened up when the USGA determined it couldn’t hold qualifiers — is a special one.

“It’s pretty great,” Hodges said. “It’ll be special, for sure. I’ve always admired the U.S. Open, the way you have to play out there — it’s proper golf. And I like to think I play a lot of proper golf, so hopefully go and play well.”

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Paul Barjon dreaming of U.S. Open as he shares lead at KFT’s Portland Open

For Barjon, a victory would likely earn him a place in the U.S. Open.

Paul Barjon carded seven birdies en route to a 66 and he and Lee Hodges are tied atop the leaderboard after Saturday’s third round of the WinCo Foods Portland Open presented by KraftHeinz.

For Barjon, a victory would likely earn him a place in the U.S. Open. Because of COVID-19 and the lack of U.S. Open qualifiers, the top five on the regular-season points list at the end of this week will earn a spot into this year’s major at Winged Foot.

Barjon currently ranks seventh, but a victory would likely give him enough points to leapfrog his way into the major. Currently ahead of him, in order, are Davis Riley, Will Zalatoris, Taylor Pendrith, Dylan Wu, Mito Pereira and Jared Wolfe.

“Obviously, it’s in the back of my mind,” Barjon said. “Playing a major, the U.S. Open, the toughest one out of the four, definitely would mean a lot. That would be a great experience in my opinion.”

Korn Ferry Tour’s Portland Open: Scores

Barjon, who hails from France and played collegiately at TCU, has jumped into the race for one of the five spots through a big showing during consecutive tournaments in San Antonio. He finished T-3 in the TPC San Antonio Challenge at the Canyons and then T-2 the next week at TPC San Antonio Championship at the Oaks.

Meanwhile. Hodges followed Friday’s 64 with a solid 68, making a birdie on No. 18, and is tied with Barjon at 11 under. Anders Albertson is one stroke behind.