Sunday, July 19, 2009

Thomas Murray wins the 63rd Florida Open Championship shooting a tournament total of 10-under par 206 at Quail Valley Golf Club in Vero Beach on July 17-19.

Thomas Murray, of Orange Park, outlasted the field of 156 players to capture the 63rd Florida Open Championship.  In the first round, Murray shot a 4-under par 68 on John’s Island West and a seven under par 65 in the second round at Quail Valley Golf Club to lead the field of 70 players advancing to the final round. Murray would take a six shot lead going into the final day of the championship at Quail Valley Golf Club playing at 7,325 yards.

In the final round, Murray started out steady with seven straight pars, then stumbled with a triple bogey on the difficult par 3 eighth hole and then parred the 9^th hole to turn at three over par 39. Murray held off a charging Tyler McCumber, of Ponte Vedra Beach on the back nine with a birdie on the 11^th hole and five straight pars. Standing on the 17^th tee Murray held a one stroke lead over McCumber.  Murray hit his approach shot to five feet to make birdie and have a two stroke lead with one hole to play. Murray hit two solid golf shots on the 18^th hole and two putted for the victory with a final round one over par 73. Murray recently qualified and played in the United States Amateur Public Links Championship held at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club in Norman, Oklahoma.

Tyler McCumber, of Ponte Vedra Beach, finished in second place two strokes back of Murray with a tournament total of eight-under par 208. McCumber carded a 7-under par 65 at Quail Valley Golf Club in the final round highlighted by ten birdies, which included birdying his final five holes to put in a late charge towards Murray and secure second place. Justin Dorward, of Port Saint Lucie finished tied for third place by firing a final round five under par 67, for a tournament total of six-under par 210. Rod Perry, of Port Orange who is the PGA Professional at the Daytona Beach Golf Club also finished tied for third place posting a final round 71, and was the low Professional in the championship taking home $13,000 with his third place finish.

The top 156 amateur & professional golfers in the state played 18 holes each on Quail Valley Golf Clun and John’s Island West on July 17-18. After 36 holes, the field was cut to the low 60 and ties. Before reaching the Championship, more than 1,100 participants attempted to qualify at one of 16 sites across the state setting a new tournament record for entries filed.

Started in 1942, The Florida Open Championship has produced past champions that include Willie Turnesa, Bob Murphy, Gary Koch, Bruce Fleisher, John Huston, Dudley Hart, and Bart Bryant. This will be the first year the Florida State Golf Association will be conducting this great championship.