By:  Global Golf Post from Staff and Wire Reports

For Kevin Chappell, who had finished runner-up six times without winning, victory at the Valero Texas Open put him in a different place on the PGA Tour.

Its meaning was summed up in Chappell’s emotional reaction on the 18th hole. Normally a fairly stoic character on the course, Chappell let go when his winning 6-foot birdie putt tumbled into the hole.

“I’m just excited I don’t have to answer that question of what I have to do to win again,” Chappell said. “A lot of joy now.”

Chappell took a one-stroke lead into the final round and had several players make a run at him. Tony Finau streaked into contention with four birdies on the back but his chances stalled when, needing at least a closing birdie, he hit his tee shot into a cactus at the par-5 18th, leading to a bogey.

Brooks Koepka charged into contention with a closing 65, making a birdie at the 18th hole to
tie Chappell, who was playing behind him.

Chappell had led by two strokes until giving one back with a bogey at No. 15. Needing a birdie at the 18th, Chappell hit an 88-yard wedge shot to within 6 feet of the hole, setting up the winning putt.

“I was calm. I never freaked out. Playing the last (hole) was simple. Make 4 and you win the golf tournament,” Chappell said.

Two weeks earlier, Chappell had finished T7 at The Masters, his first top-40 finish this year. In his 180th career start, Chappell finally got his elusive first win.

“Hopefully this is a platform to jump off and get myself in the conversations to make the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup,” Chappell said.

Driver: TaylorMade M1 2016 (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila 2KNV Blue 70TX

3 Wood: TaylorMade M1 2017 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila 2KNV Blue 80TX

5 Wood: TaylorMade M1 2017 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila 2KNV Blue 90TX

Irons: Nike Pro Combo (4-6), Nike MMProto (7-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Nike Engage Square-Sole (48 degrees), PXG 0311T Milled (52-10, 56-10 and 60-06)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48 degrees), S400 (52, 56 and 60 degrees)

Putter: Scotty Cameron T5MB

Republished with permission by Global Golf Post.