Abbotsford’s Adam Hadwin finally won the big one.
For the first time in his PGA Tour Career, the Ledgeview Golf and Country Club product earned his first tournament win at the Valspar Championship in Florida on Sunday.
“You’re never quite sure when you’re going to get the job done,” he said, at a press conference following the win. “I’ve been playing some great golf this year, and I had my chance at CareerBuilder [event in January] and played well and got beat. I made the game super easy today outside of hole 16.”
The aforementioned 16th hole nearly cost Hadwin his title dreams.
He saw a two-shot lead evaporate after shooting a double-bogey, and he was forced to outduel American Patrick Cantlay on the final two holes.
Hadwin closed with pars on 17 and 18 to edge Cantlay by one stroke for the victory.
Hadwin set a strong pace early in the four-day event, shooting a 68 in round one on Thursday, an impressive 64 on Friday, a 67 on Saturday and a 71 on Sunday.
“I would have loved to keep a two-up lead with two to play but if I have a chance to win in the last couple of holes that’s where I want to be,” he said.
Hadwin earned a cool $1.134 million for the tournament win, which also qualified him for the prestigious Masters event in April. He will become just the third Canadian ever to compete at the event.
He was born in Moose Jaw, Sask., but grew up in Abbotsford and honed his golf skills at Ledgeview. Hadwin attended the University of Louisville on a golf scholarship before turning pro in 2009.
Hadwin previously competed at the U.S. Open major tournament in 2011, when he finished tied for 39th overall.
It has been a strong 2017 for Hadwin, as he shot a rare 59 at the CareerBuilder Challenge event in January. Only eight players in PGA Tour history have ever shot below 60. Despite that strong score, Hadwin finished second at that event.
Hadwin next competes at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando starting on Thursday.
