By: Global Golf Post

While Jordan Spieth and other top PGA Tour players were putting on a show at Royal Birkdale, Grayson Murray took advantage of a more open field in Alabama, shooting a final-round 3-under 68 to win the Barbasol Championship.

Murray two-putted the par-4 18th for a one-shot victory ahead of Chad Collins. He finished the tournament at 21-under 263 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Grand National course for his first PGA Tour victory.

The leaderboard changed quite a bit throughout the final round. Scott Stallings was the 54-hole leader, but he bogeyed his opening hole, as did Murray. Murray took the lead after an eagle on No. 13, but a bogey on the next allowed for Tag Ridings to take the lead briefly after birdies on Nos. 10, 13 and 14. But a double-bogey 7 on the par-5 16th derailed Ridings’ chances for his
first PGA Tour victory.

A two-putt birdie on the par-5 16th from 26 feet put the 23-year-old Murray in the driver’s seat heading to the final two holes.

This victory doesn’t get him into The Masters, but he has secured exempt PGA Tour status through the 2018-19 season. The victory also increased his season earnings to nearly $1.3 million.

“This is huge,” Murray said. “With the win, it takes a lot of pressure off of you knowing that for two years, you can plan your schedule.”

Rounding out the top five in a tie for third at 19-under 265 were Stallings, Ridings and Brian Gay.

Amateur Sam Burns, who left LSU after two seasons, finished in a tie for sixth place after rounds of 68-66-66-66 for 18-under 266. He plans to turn pro in September.

Driver: Callaway GBB Epic Sub Zero (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD TP-7X

3 Wood: Callaway GBB Epic (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Tensei CK White 80TX

 

Hybrid: Callaway Epic (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Atmos Blue Tour Spec 8X Hybrid

Irons: Callaway Apex MB (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Callaway MD3 Milled (52-10 S-Grind, 56-12 W-Grind, 60-11 W-Grind), Callaway Mack Daddy Forged (60-08)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Putter: Odyssey O-Works Tank #1

Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft

Click here to see “Watts” in the bag of the 146th Open champ and click here to see last week’s winner.

Republished with permission by Global Golf Post