Golf
ABBOTSFORD TO SANTIAGO CHILE
He’s come a long way from small town Canada hitting the greens in Abbotsford, but if you have followed his career he’s never quit improving his game.
This time Adam Hadwin fired a 3-under 69 at the Chile Classic to claim his first victory on the Web.com Tour, which is a testament to his career.
At times he traded spots on the leader board with Australia’s Alistair Presnell for the outright lead before birdieing the par-5 18th to finish at 16-under par.
His final round 69 earned him the $117,000 first place prize cheque and also moved the two-time PGA Tour Canada winner into the No. 1 spot on the Web.com Tour’s money list.
“I don’t know what to say,” Hadwin said. I really don’t know what to feel, what to think,” he said. “It’s amazing.
I battled all day and to finish birdie-birdie and make the putts I did on the last two holes gives me so much confidence. I couldn’t be happier.”
Presnell caused some drama at the end, draining an 18-footer on the par-5 18th for a 68.
“I heard roars, but I didn’t know what happened,” Hadwin said. “I knew it was going to be close. I said to my caddie on 17 tee that, `If I make two birdies, they can’t catch us.’”
Hadwin got up-and-down from a greenside bunker on the 308-yard, par-4 17th to tie Presnell for the lead. From 230 yards on the 18th, he hit a 4-iron that missed the green, then chipped to 4 feet and made the putt.
“It was an awkward number. I wanted to hit 5-iron and didn’t think I could clear the water if I missed it a little, so I went with 4,” said Hadwin, a former University of Louisville player.
“I guess I gave up on it a little and luckily it cleared the water. It was a fairly easy chip across the green and was able to get up and down for the victory.”