Local resident and two-time PGA TOUR winner Russell Knox opens the nation’s first local qualifier for Drive, Chip and Putt by taking the ceremonial first swing May 6 at TPC Sawgrass.
Held on the eve of THE PLAYERS Championship, the qualifier attracted numerous local contestants between the ages of 7 and 15. Each junior golfer hit three drives into a long-drive-style grid, then hit three chip shots into giant painted rings around the hole, followed by three putts into painted rings.
Top finishers of the TPC Sawgrass Drive, Chip and Putt in each age category included: Boys 7-9: Miles Russell, with a score of 92; Boys 10-11: Tyler Mawhinney, 114; Boys 12-13: Garrett Roberson, 123; Boys 14-15: Chase Haygood, 160; Girls 7-9: Sofia Rivera, 42; Girls 10-11: Alexa Fallis, 94; Girls 12-13: Tylar Ann Whiting, 119; Girls 14-15: Julia Wallace, 97.
The top three overall point earners from each age division advance to the sub-regional qualifier later this summer and take another step towards achieving their dream of competing in the National Championship at Augusta National next spring.
