Two-time Omega Indiana PGA Player of the Year and last year’s Senior Player of the Year finally gets his first Professional Championship title. Smith’s opening round at The Club at Chatham Hills began with a penalty, but after 36 holes he had a five-shot lead over the field.
Smith carded a pair of 66’s to head to today’s final round 12-under-par. Blair Shadday, Forest Hills GC, trailed by five shots at -7, followed by Quinn Griffing, Apex Golf Lab, at -6.
Shadday gave Smith a run for his money today, getting within two shots heading to the par-5, 13th. But with a birdie, bogey swing for Smith and Shadday, Smith regained a four-shot lead which he never relinquished. He went on to add a birdie on 17 to his total, for an 11-under-par, 205 total and a five-shot victory.
“I was leaking oil a little bit today, but played nicely on the back nine,” said Smith. “Coming out on top is a huge honor for me.”
Smith has finished runner-up the last two years, making today’s win even more special.
“Winning this event and making my mark in Indiana has been a lifelong goal of mine, watching my brother do it all these years. So this is really special.”
Smith’s win today qualifies him for the 2021 Professional National Championship, which will be held at PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie, FL on April 25-28, 2021. Joining Smith will be Craig Bowden, KBS Shafts, and Mike Asbell, Golf Club of Indiana, (who are both exempt), along with Blair Shadday, Forest Hill GC, Mike O’Toole, Riverside Golf Academy, and Dave Pugh, Pond View GC.
“I played in the national event two years ago and the PGA does a great job of putting it on,” Smith added. “I didn’t play the best last time, but it’s an awesome national event and it gives me something to look forward to.”
Shadday finished runner-up today with a 6-under-par finish. Thank you to Club Car and Omega for being our presenting sponsors at this year’s event, as well as Titleist/Footjoy, Nike, and Taylormade for being our supporting sponsors.
Click here for full-field results.
