Web.com tournament has local, international flavor
The Web.com Tour rolled into Kansas City last week, and with it came stories of local and international interest.
There was Brice Garnett, a Gallatin, Mo., native and Missouri Western graduate who brought a large and loyal following with him to the Digital Ally Open. The Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate would be the closest stop to home on the tour, and his family, friends and old college buddies turned out to cheer him on.
But the headline grabber would be China’s Zecheng “Marty” Dou, who guaranteed himself a PGA Tour card with his 3-stroke victory Sunday. Dou, a 20 year-old who turned pro three years ago, will be the first golfer from China to become an official member of the PGA Tour.
Dou took control of an ever-changing leader board by shooting a 10-under 61 in the third round, the first of two rounds on Sunday. He followed that with a solid 5-under 66 and later collected the $117,000 prize that put him solidly among the developmental tour’s top 25 money winners and on his way to the PGA Tour.
“It’s a big honor, representing China and getting to play with the best and learning from them and competing,” said Dou, who finished at 25-under 259 for four rounds. “It feels amazing right now.”
The week didn’t end as well for Garnett, who faded into a tie for 13th at 268 after being in contention the first two rounds. He was briefly tied for first place in the second round when he sank a birdie putt on No. 17 while wearing a Chiefs jersey.
“It was a great week for me,” Garnett said. “I’m playing in front of family and friends. And any time you can have a top 10 or 15 on this tour … those are what you play for.”
This story was originally published August 1, 2017 at 10:35 AM with the headline "Web.com tournament has local, international flavor."