Danville native wins second straight Kentucky Open, edging UK golfer and former champ
Neither Mother Nature nor crunch-time adversity could derail another championship march by one of Kentucky’s best golfers.
Danville native J.B. Williams went wire-to-wire to win the 101st Men’s Kentucky Open at Triple Crown Country Club in Union on Friday, successfully defending the title he won in last year’s tournament. The former University of Akron standout finished at 11-under par, two strokes ahead of University of Kentucky senior-to-be Jacob Cook and Edmonton native Trey Shirley, who won the tournament in 2018.
Williams is the first back-to-back Kentucky Open champion since Rick Cochran III won in 2013 and 2014.
“It feels great to join such a short list of players to win this championship in back-to-back years,” Williams said. “It was such a big goal for me this week that was on my mind every day. It just means a lot and it means that much more when you accomplish it having put your mind to it.”
Williams led after the first and second rounds and held a one-stroke advantage when thunderstorms delayed the final round on Thursday. When play resumed Friday morning, he started strong with birdies on holes No. 5 and 7.
Williams gave his opponents an opening when he bogeyed No. 10. He had troublesome approach shots on No. 12 and No. 13, but recovered nicely on both to get up and down for par.
Another birdie on No. 17 put Williams up by two, then he slammed the door on the final hole with a beautiful drive and approach before two-putting for par.
“The putter really helped me out today. Even some chip shots that helped me get up and down for birdies on the par-fives and par-saves truly made this up-and-down city today,” Williams said. “Just a great short-game week for me, especially today when I needed it the most.”
After a rough opening round, Shirley vaulted into contention with a 9-under 63 in a second round that included an eagle and seven birdies. That score broke the previous course record for lowest round during an official tournament. The Campbellsville University grad added five more birdies during the final round, remaining hot on Williams’ heels throughout. Shirley, who has spent time on the Korn Ferry Tour, earned status on Canada’s Mackenzie Tour when he finished tied for seventh during a qualifying tournament in early March.
Cook’s strong showing continued a successful summer run for the rising UK star. He was the top-scoring amateur in the first Unbridled Tour tournament at Boone’s Trace National Golf Club in late May and in July won both the Lexington City Championship and Daniel Boone Invitational.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better summer,” Cook said after the Kentucky Open. “I’ve seen some really hard work pay off. This summer, I’ve put a lot more emphasis on tournament preparation and making sure that I’m ready to play when I show up to an event. Being well prepared has been key for my success on the course.
“As I get into the college season, I plan to focus on the same things along with my teammates; that we are well prepared to play our best each time we tee it up. Our team has a lot of potential this fall and I’m looking forward to getting back together with them.”
Several of Cook’s Wildcats’ compatriots also made the cut in the Kentucky Open. Incoming UK freshman Campbell Kremer and assistant coach Ben Fuqua tied for eighth at 4-under. Junior-to-be Zach Norris finished tied for 33rd, while sophomore-to-be Cooper Parks tied for 47th.
Click here for complete results from the 101st Men’s Kentucky Open.
101st Kentucky Open Results
1. J.B. Williams, -11
t2. Jacob Cook, -9
t2. Trey Shirley, -9
t4. JM Butler, -8
t4. Billy Tom Sargent, -8
6. Patrick Newcomb, -6
7. Austin Squires, -5
t8. Ben Fuqua, -4
t8. Nick Johnston, -4
t8. Campbell Kremer, -4
t8. Justin Warman, -4
t12. Evan Davis, -3
t12. Matt Epperson, -3
t12. Matthew Harris, -3
t15. Kyle Wilshire, -2
t15. Andy Roberts, -2
t15. Drew Doyle, -2
t15. Daniel Iceman III, -2
t15. Trey Cox, -2
t20. Jacob Poore, -1
t20. Grover Justice, -1
t20. Brendon Doyle, -1
t20. Ashton Van Horne, -1
t20. Stephen Stallings, -1
t25. Denver Haddix, E
t25. Devin Morley, E
t25. Jeremy Martin, E
t25. Trey Bowling, E
29. Gabe Wheeler, +1
t30. Dawson McDaniel, +2
t30. Andrew Stephens, +2
t30. Cooper Musselman, +2
t33. Zach Norris, +3
t33. Joshua Rhodes, +3
t33. Michael Sass, +3
t33. Evan Cox, +3
t33. Shawn Tipton, +3
t33. Reid Bedell, +3
39. Eric Fuldner, +4
t40. Jansen Preston, +5
t40. Rob Crockett II, +5
t40. Cooper Collins, +5
t43. Ben Bryant, +6
t43. Paul Huber, +6
t43. Jonathon Ice, +6
t43. Nicklaus Newcomb, +6
t47. Andrew Sullivan, +7
t47. Cooper Parks, +7
t47. Tom Walters, +7
t47. Blake Watts, +7
t47. CM Mixon, +7
t47. Trevor Johnson, +7
53. Alec Silchuk, +8
t54. Camron Turner, +9
t54. Dustin Hicks, +9
t56. Parker Clarke, +10
t56. Logan Watts, +10
t56. Nicholas Tenuta, +10
t59. Eric King, +11
t59. Aaron McDowell, +11
t59. T. Bruce Oldendick, +11
t59. Kevin Waldie, +11
63. Andrew Strother, +12
t64. Connor Combs, +13
t64. Christian Tooley, +13
t66. Ryan Clements, +14
t66. Aaron Eldridge, +14
t66. Austin Cook, +14
