The final round started with Eduardo Herrera and Brigham Gibbs tied at the top after both shooting rounds of 67-69. Herrera, of Windermere, began his final round on the West Course slow but steady. He scored seven pars and made up for an early bogey on hole three with a birdie on the ninth hole. Gibbs, on the other hand, got off to a rough start after bogies on holes 1, 2, and 4. He managed to birdie the par five, sixth hole posting a two-over par front-nine score, and falling two behind Herrera in the same pairing.
The back-nine got off to a better start, making a birdie on the 10th to cut the lead back to one stroke, only to be answered by Herrera's birdie on the 11th. Both players would birdie the 16th and Herrera would lead by two strokes on the 17th tee. On the 17th green, the first glimpse of nerves all day from Herrera were shown, as he failed to convert a 3-foot par putt, and the lead was now just one. Stepping up to the 18th tee, Herrera faltered again, but caught the break of the tournament. With his tee shot heading right of the fairway, towards the parking lot, out-of bounds, the ball caught a tree and kicked out in the fairway. Eduardo would take advantage of the fortunate bounce and hit his approach on the green, and convert the birdie putt to post 206 (-7) and capture the 39th Florida Senior Open Championship by 2 strokes. Brigham Gribbs, of Miami finished alone in 2nd after posting 208 (-5) and took home low amateur honors.
Winning the Florida Senior Open marks Herrera’s first FSGA victory. Four players tied for third at three-under par 210 including 2014 Amateur Player of the Year Don Bell, David Anthony (a), and Mike San Fillippo. First round leader, Rick Woulfe (a), finished tied for tenth with rounds of 66-73-74—213. Gary Koch, defending champion, tied for tenth place as well after he scored 69-73-71—213.
The Florida Senior Open is conducted by the South Florida PGA Section and the Florida State Golf Association and is open to Florida residents who are at least 50 years of age by the beginning of the event. Over 350 professionals and amateurs competed at 8 qualifying locations. The Championship is conducted over fifty-four holes of individual stroke play. At the Championship each player played 18-holes on the East and West Course at Belleair Country Club, with a cut instituted after thirty-six holes to the low 60 players and ties.
