PGA Tour pros with connections to Las Vegas scored big this weekend. Two won PGA Tour events and three others finished in respectable positions.
Adam Scott, a former UNLV Rebel, claimed victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational by four strokes. He managed to chip in for birdie on the 12th hole and sink a long birdie putt on 14 to lengthen his lead. On the final hole Scott’s approach shot flirted with the pin and he confidently jammed in his birdie putt to finish 17-under-par and claim victory.
Scott hopes to use this win “as a platform … going into next week,” at the PGA Championship. He spoke about how confidence “is such a big part in golf” and agreed that Steve Williams, his new caddy, “instilled some confidence into [him].” After the victory Scott had this to say:
“I’m really stoked. To win here is great. Stevie absolutely made a difference. He knows this place better than anyone. It’s been wonderful with Steve.”
This victory is Scott’s 19th professional win, his 9th on the PGA Tour, and it is the eighth flag that Williams has collected at Firestone. Afterward there appeared to be more interest in the Woods-Williams drama than the tournament winner; in an interesting twist reporters crowded around the caddy. Williams offered plenty of comments, from revealing that his previous employment was terminated via “phone that we needed to take a break,” to admitting his shock “at getting the boot,” and being “short shifted.” But back on topic of the newly crowned winner Steve described his feelings, saying:
“It’s what makes this job great, the challenge of trying to win the majors. I sort of believe in destiny sometimes. Adam hit it so good on the range; I knew it was our day.”
Other players with ties to Vegas finished well. Rickie Fowler, a previous resident of the valley, finished tied for second at 13 under and Ryan Moore, a Rebel alum, tied for 23rd at two under in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Former UNLV golf star Chris Riley tied for 15th at nine under in the Reno Tahoe open.
Meanwhile Scott Piercy, a Las Vegas native, won the Reno-Tahoe Open. The Bonanza High School graduate finished the tournament at 15-under-par. The final hole had some tense moments: an errant drive leading to a shot off the cart path and a testy comeback putt – no gimme – to win. Glossing over the spectacle Pat Perez made of himself by storming off after Piercy showed his resolve by hitting the green after his recovery shot, Piercy’s final putt – stressful to watch – took a sharp turn into the hole at the last second.
Immediately embraced and congratulated by his family, Piercy was emotional after his first PGA Tour victory. “I’m very excited,” Piercy managed to say, tears welling in his eyes as he held his youngest boy in his arms. He admitted “that two putt wasn’t easy” and joked about having to cancel vacation plans now that he qualified for the PGA Championship in Atlanta.
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