Kamaiu Johnson overcomes wind, tops field at APGA Tour Las Vegas TPC program

LAS VEGAS – Kamaiu Johnson, whose journey against adversity amidst mutliple PGA TOUR sponsor exemptions captivated golfing fans this winter season, shot a remaining-round 70 to conquer a prime-tier subject and seize the APGA Tour Las Vegas match Tuesday at TPC Las Vegas.

The 28 yr-old from Tallahassee, Florida, begun the day in a three-way tie for very first position and managed his way at even par all around the 7,081-yard, par-71 TPC structure right until carding a birdie 3 on the 14th gap to eke out the one particular-stroke victory about Nyasha Mauchaza of Port St. Lucie, Florida, with a two-working day total of 138. The players navigated winds estimated at 25 mph in pursuit of the title as the APGA Tour manufactured its debut at the prestigious PGA TOUR-owned system.

Tommy Schaff of Ridgeland, South Carolina, was yet another stroke back again at 140 right after his three-less than 68 with Marcus Manley of Kissimmee, Florida, and Rovonta Youthful of Huntsville, Alabama, tied for third at 141. In fourth put were APGA Tour stalwarts Willie Mack and Landon Lyons at 142.  Young and Lyons have APGA Tour victories this year and longtime APGA Tour star Mack played as a sponsor exemption in two PGA TOUR functions this winter.

Johnson was picked for a sponsor exemption into the PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance policies Open up at Torrey Pines in January but his desire was shattered when he contracted COVID-19 and had to withdraw. The AT&T Pebble Seashore Professional-Am and The Honda Classic responded with exemption invitations later that week and Johnson was able to contend on the huge phase in people events.  International media picked up on the narrative of dream shattered and revived, introducing Johnson to golfing fans all around the planet. He sank a 15-footer for the birdie at 14 and then knocked in an 8-footer at 18 to avoid a playoff with Maukaza and pocket the $7,500 top prize out of the $25,000 purse.

“The total expertise of playing at the PGA TOUR degree has been a great course of action,” mentioned Johnson, who dealt with 40 mph winds in the Korn Ferry Tour’s Emerald Town Vintage very last thirty day period.  “I went back to all those people occasions and relied on what I acquired. It all has built me feel in myself and it assisted me today.”

The APGA Tour title is his initially considering the fact that winning the APGA Tour Championship match past September, top to his sponsor exemption adventures. Johnson and the total discipline of the APGA Tour’s top players will now travel to Arizona upcoming 7 days for APGA Tour Scottsdale April 18-20 at TPC Scottsdale. The APGA Tour then travels to PGA of The usa-owned Valhalla Region Club for APGA Tour Louisville in May possibly just before playing two more PGA Tour-owned prestige venues, TPC New Orleans and TPC Deere Run (Silvis, Illinois) in June and July.

The 59-participant subject integrated Alfonso Ribeiro, the Tv set persona and host of America’s Funniest Residence Movies, who supports the APGA Tour’s mission of bringing bigger range to the activity of golf. Ribeiro is a best-notch celebrity golfer and he represents the PGA TOUR as a Model Ambassador for the PGA TOUR Champions circuit.

The match was executed underneath social-distancing and health and fitness/security suggestions in conjunction with regional authorities.