Grinding through the final round Sunday at the Valero Texas Open, Steven Bowditch won his first PGA tournament and a berth at this year’s Masters.
The 30-year-old Australian was able to draw on his past experiences and keep a few PGA veterans at bay. It wasn’t easy or pretty by any means and Bowditch bogeyed the par-5 No. 18, finishing with a 76. He ended the day at 8-under as Will MacKenzie and Daniel Summerhays both finished at 7-under and Andrew Loupe finished third at 6-under.
Bowditch explained after his round he was a little bewildered that he was able to pull out a win on Sunday.
“I’ve got no idea,” he said. “I just drew back on some experiences and some good advice from different people. It just happened to be my week, I guess.”
Bowditch may not be able to explain how the win happened, but it was a remarkable breakthrough for a player who began the week ranked 339th.
There were moments where it looked like other players may catch up to Bowditch.
Matt Kuchar looked like he would be in contention for his first win of the season but bogeys on holes Nos. 10, 11 and 14 kept him from making the progress he needed. Kuchar finished with a 75 on Sunday.
Will MacKenzie and Daniel Summerhays who tied for second never seemed to be able gain the momentum they needed also. MacKenzie shot 70, while Summerhays shot a 71.
Andrew Loupe drew plenty of attention not only for his score but for his pre-shot routine and slow pace of play. The 25-year-old Loupe sparked comments from both fans on social media as well as broadcasters.
NBC Sports announcer Johnny Miller commented on Loupe saying, “If everyone on Tour played like him, I would stop commentating.”
Disappointment followed Chesson Hadley and Ryan Palmer on Sunday. Both players missed their chance to enter the Masters this year. Puerto Rico Open winner Hadley needed to finish at least in sixth place, but instead closed with an 80 and a tie for 56th place. Palmer needed a top-three finish but ended his day with an 82 and tie for 56th.
But this was a day Bowditch will remember the rest of his life. Not necessarily for the ugly details of the round but the final outcome. His first win on the PGA Tour and a chance to play at Augusta.