Before golfing for Iowa State, amateur wins 2026 Watson Challenge at Shoal Creek

Ben Wheeler has a busy fall ahead.

Starting college. Settling into life in Ames, Iowa. And of course getting acquainted with his new teammates on the Iowa State Cyclones golf team.

First, however, Wheeler had some business to take care of in Kansas City: win the tournament bearing the name of a man on the proverbial Mount Rushmore of Kansas City sports.

Wheeler on Friday wrapped up a 54-hole gem of a victory in the annual (Tom) Watson Challenge at Shoal Creek Golf Course.

The recent graduate of Summit Christian Academy closed with a 1-under 70 for a three-day total of 204 — 9 under par. His best round was Thursday, when he scorched the Shoal Creek track with a 6-under round of 65.

Wheeler had to mind his strokes down the stretch, too, as Wade Binfield — one of the pros in this year’s field — had the hot hand Friday.

The native of Georgia who now calls KC home closed with his own round of 65 to claim runner-up honors just one stroke back.

Gregory Diederich, like Wheeler an amateur, placed third, one stroke behind Binfield.

Here are the results from this year’s Watson Challenge, which next year will be contested at Milburn Country Club in Overland Park.

Watson Challenge: 2026 results

Final round, par 71; a-amateur

Ben Wheeler (a), 69-65-70—204

Wade Binfield, 70-70-65—205

Gregory Diederich (a), 71-66-69—206

Davis Cooper, 67-71-69–207

Sean Dougherty, 68-68-71—207

Nicklaus Mason, 67-67-73—207

Easton Johnson, 72-70-67—209

Bret Burgmeier, 69-70-70—209

Stuart Boulware (a), 70-69-70—209

Ty Lasley (a), 66-72-71—209

Jacob Fratzel (a), 71-67-71—209

Matt Percy, 69-69-72—210

Jake Eklund, 71-72-68—211

Connor MacGee (a), 71-68-72—211

Sam Parrott (a), 71-75-66—212

Josh Fratzel (a), 74-69-69—212

Bennett Warren (a), 67-71-74—212

Cameron Chhim, 74-70-69—213

Nick Westrich, 70-72-71—213

Clay Ederer (a), 70-71-72—213

Heeil Yang, 75-69-70—214

Jack Butterbaugh (a), 75-73-67—215

Ben Pearson (a), 73-73-69—215

Ian McCrary, 72-73-70—215

Charlie Hillier, 74-76-66—216

Parker Boggins (a), 77-70-69—216

Austin Hardison, 74-69-73—216

Tyler McNeive (a), 78-70-69—217

Peyton Smith (a), 71-72-74—217

Michael Letzig, 71-71-75—217

Chris Bussell, 72-67-78—217

Tyler Walker (a), 75-71-72—218

Robert Russell, 76-69-73—218

Megan Propeck (a), 71-73-75—219

Chance Rinkol (a), 74-77-69—220

Jeff Sedorcek, 70-74-76—220

Matthew Stock, 76-77-69—222

Luke Smith, 76-74-73—223

James Ackerman (a), 80-73-72—225

Jared Paul, 76-75-76—227

Kevin Ward, 74-76-78–228

Dave Cunningham (a), 75-75-80—230

Mike Johnston, 71-78-82—231

Jake Conley (a), 78-75-80—233

Samuel Deneke (a), 79-77-78—234

Benjamin Kimminau (a), 78-82-75—235

Jimmy Gates (a), 80-76-81—237

Larry Hadden, 80-84-75—239

Ryan Eckroat, 77-77-86—240

Brad Volker, 82-78-81—241

John Gerber, 81-80-84—245