Truckee, US — Ryan Gerard Claims First PGA Tour Victory at Barracuda Championship
July 21 (AP) — In a thrilling finish at the Barracuda Championship, Ryan Gerard emerged victorious, marking his first PGA Tour win. The 25-year-old out of North Carolina showcased his resilience in breezy conditions at Tahoe Mountain Club, the only PGA Tour event utilizing the modified Stableford scoring system.
Gerard dazzled with two remarkable seven-point birdie-eagle streaks despite the challenge of five bogeys. His key performances on holes Nos. 2-3 and 10-11 secured him a 13-point round, culminating in 47 points total. This achievement granted him a three-point triumph over South Africa's Erik van Rooyen, the 2021 champion.
"I've been playing a lot of really good golf," Gerard reflected. "It’s special to finally find success after putting in long hours and facing numerous challenges." Indeed, this win comes in his 47th PGA Tour start, placing him as the 999th winner in tour history.
This tournament, held concurrently with the British Open and co-sanctioned by the European tour, grants Gerard a spot in next year’s PGA Championship, though not in the Masters. Gerard expressed the fulfilling culmination of a lifetime of determination and hard work on the golf course.
Runner-up Erik van Rooyen accumulated 11 points, showing poise with impressive puts—such as a 20-foot eagle on the par-5 15th and a 30-foot birdie on the closing 18th. "I have mixed emotions," van Rooyen admitted, expressing satisfaction in his performance yet recognizing missed opportunities on the green.
Third place went to England's Todd Clements, who gathered 39 points, due to a strong 16-point round. On the same day, Beau Hossler secured 17 points while Max McGreevy and Jacques Kruyswijk managed 16 and 10 points respectively, all tying for fourth place with 37 points.
Gerard's tenacity was evident as he tied the third-round lead with Rico Hoey, achieving pivotal putts such as the 20-footer on the par-5 third and a 35-footer on the 11th. Despite brief setbacks—including back-to-back bogeys and a missed 3-foot putt on the 16th—he regained crucial points with birdies at key moments.
Notably, Gerard has been competing for six consecutive weeks, beginning with the U.S. Open, including ventures in Scotland last week. His upward trajectory was evident with ninth and second placements in consecutive April events in Texas.
Meanwhile, Hoey, apart of the leading pack going into the final round, concluded tied for eighth after a scoreless day.
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