‘What a way to get back into it.’ Ex-UK star wins pro golf event in thrilling fashion.
Two weeks ago the Spring Meet at Churchill Downs kicked off in Louisville, heralding the return of live sports in the Bluegrass State.
It was Central Kentucky’s turn to get back into the mix this week, as a field of 39 professional and amateur golfers gathered in Richmond to compete in the Unbridled Tour’s 54-hole tournament at Boone’s Trace National Golf Club — and a familiar face provided a thrilling climax to three days of action on Thursday.
Clinging to a one-shot lead heading into the final hole, former University of Kentucky star Chip McDaniel found himself in trouble after his approach shot missed the green and nearly rolled into a sand trap.
Needing to get up and down for par to avoid a playoff, McDaniel cut the drama short by chipping in for birdie to clinch the victory and a $10,000 share of the tournament’s $23,000 purse. McDaniel finished with a 19-under 197, two strokes ahead of former University of Illinois standout and current Mackenzie Tour regular Dylan Meyer.
“On that approach shot I hit it where I was aiming, but the wind gusted on me and got a hold of it and it ended up in probably the worst place it possibly could have,” McDaniel said. “During the quarantine I haven’t been practicing chipping as much as I normally do, but I kind of figured something out this week. So on that shot I felt like I could at least give myself a chance for it and it came out perfect and I just got lucky that it went it. It was really cool.”
McDaniel entered the final round with a two-shot lead after a bogey-free second round on Wednesday that included four birdies and an eagle. He opened the door on Thursday with a bogey on hole No. 6, but responded with five birdies down the stretch to keep the field at arm’s length.
When the coronavirus pandemic shut down sports in early March, McDaniel took some time off from golf to travel and pursue other interests. But the Unbridled Tour tournament offered him a welcome chance to start rounding his game back into shape as he pursues full-time status on the Korn Ferry Tour — the professional golf circuit that’s one step below the PGA Tour.
“I’d been traveling a lot once the virus hit, two or three weeks of it was really nice,” McDaniel said. “But once the month, month-and-a-half mark hit I was ready to get back out there, so this has been great. It was fun to get the juices flowing again.”
McDaniel was especially excited that his return to competitive golf came during a tournament in his home state. He’s been living and practicing in Lexington for some time now.
“I got to sleep in my own bed, which is always awesome,” McDaniel said. “This is a course I know and a course I like, so, what a way to get back into it.”
Wildcats represent
The University of Kentucky golf team, past and present, was well-represented all week long. UK senior-to-be and Franklin County High School graduate Jacob Cook was the top-scoring amateur in the tournament, finishing in a three-way tie for fifth with a 12-under 204.
Cook spent two years as a Wildcat with McDaniel and Cooper Musselman, who also shot a 204 to tie for fifth place. Cook said it was special to spend the week competing against his friends and former teammates.
“It was awesome trying to chase Chip down,” Cook said. “And getting to play with Cooper, too, it was almost like a reunion. I think it allowed me to play a little more relaxed. It was a lot of fun trying to make birdies and go back and forth with them.”
Birdies for Brownie
During the tournament, Cook wore a UK hat with the logo “B4B” on the side. He explained that the logo, which stands for “Birdies for Brownie,” is in reference to Kentucky teammate Cullan Brown, who was forced to skip his sophomore season after being diagnosed with a form of cancer named osteosarcoma.
Brown withdrew from UK to undergo chemotherapy and focus on his health, but Cook said the team remains in contact with him and is looking forward to the day when he returns to the fold.
“We were able to see Cullan in the hospital a lot when he was doing his treatment in Lexington. We’re still in contact with him and his family quite a bit. He’s a great kid with a strong family, and if anybody is going to get through something like this we know he will,” Cook said. “It’s just a matter of time before he gets through it, and whenever he does we’re hoping he’s back with us.”
