Abbotsford’s Adam Hadwin made it tough for Cameron Champ, but ultimately finished just one stroke out of first place at the Safeway Open, which wrapped up in California on Sunday.
The Ledgeview Golf and Country Club product birdied the final three holes during the final round to score a 67 in Sunday’s round and tie Champ at -16, but could only watch as Champ nearly chipped in for an eagle on the 18th hole before making a short birdie putt to edge Hadwin.
“At least I made him think about it a little bit,” Hadwin told media after the event. “I knew I had to do something special. Put a little pressure on him and made him make birdie for it.”
Three-straight birdies have given Adam Hadwin a share of the Safeway Open lead. pic.twitter.com/UQHwqbGTId
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) September 30, 2019
Hadwin shot 68, 70, 67 and then 67 in the four rounds, and earned $719,400 for his efforts.
Hadwin wasn’t the only local golfer who had a strong weekend at the Safeway, as Abbotsford’s Nick Taylor finished tied for 10th and shot -11 (277). Taylor had rounds of 69, 66, 70 and 72, and was tied for third after two rounds.
Taylor earned $166,650 for the 10th place showing. The Safeway was the third event Taylor has played in this season, and he most recently finished tied for 24th at the Greenbrier Classic on Sept. 15.
Champ fought through Hadwin’s late push as his grandfather battled stomach cancer in nearby Sacramento. He told media that his grandfather introduced him to the game, and it was a thrill that he got to see his grandson make a huge clutch shot to win.
“For me to do something like this, for me to win, and for him to be able to witness and watch on TV, I know he was probably amped up,” Champ said. “For him to be able to see me make that putt on 18 on the 72nd hole, that will go down as the greatest moment ever in my career.”
Champ shot a combined 271 (67, 68, 67 and 69) and said Hadwin’s late push was a test.
“I just kept grinding,” said Champ, who had 21 birdies in the four rounds. “I got some key up-and-downs. The chip-in on 11 was huge, and the up-and-down on 15 just kind of kept my round going.”
Hadwin next heads to Las Vegas for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open from Oct. 3 to 6. Then he travels to Korea and Japan for tournaments later this month.
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