Fernandez Captures 46th Veritex Bank Texas State Open
LEWISVILLE, Texas
– Juan Fernandez of Scottsdale, Arizona captured the 46th Veritex Bank Texas State Open playing solid golf all week, including setting a competitive course record on Wednesday of the Championship when he fired a 10-under-par, 62. Fernandez carded rounds of 69-62-65-71 for a four-round total of 21-under par 267. He had a six shot lead heading into the final round. Fernandez played steady golf throughout his round notching three birdies and two bogeys, but aggressive play from his competitors made for an exciting finish to the Championship. His 1-under-par round today was enough to clench the Championship and take home the first place prize money of $36,500 and a lifetime exemption to the Texas State Open.
“I'm so happy right now that I was able to pull it off,” said Fernandez of his win. “For a moment there, Alex got awfully close and I was happy that I was able to hold him off and get it done. It's something I'm really proud of because I've been working so hard on my game. Just to finally collect some of that work is gratifying. I love the course. To be honest, it's one of my favorites now. It was in great shape. I have to congratulate everyone because with this heat it's hard to keep things this good for an extended amount of time.”
Alex Moon of Dallas, Texas finished just one stroke back of Fernandez at 20-under-par 268. Moon shot rounds of 69-66-67-66, but was unable to best Fernandez despite his 6-under par finish in the final round. After Moon birdied the 15th hole, he pulled within one stroke of Fernandez. Then, both players pared the 16th hole. Moon then bogeyed the penultimate hole giving Fernandez the buffer he needed playing the final hole. On the 72nd hole of the tournament Moon had one last attempt to catch Fernandez with a putt for eagle to force a playoff. The putt missed, and Moon tapped in for birdie just one shot shy of a playoff.
Matt Gilchrest (a) of Southlake, Texas finished in sole third place and received Low Amateur honors this year shooting 71-67-65-67—270, 18-under-par, for the Championship. Gilchrest is a rising senior at Auburn University and was one of just two amateurs to make the cut. While at Auburn he has earned honors such as Freshman All-SEC in 2014 and All-SEC First Team and NCAA All-Southeast Region in 2015. The Veritex Bank Texas State Open was a World Amateur Golf Ranking event, a ranking in which Gilchrest currently sits at 165 in the world.
For the fourth straight year, the Low PGA Club Professional was recognized. Eighteen club professionals were in the field to begin and three made the cut. Greg Gregory, PGA assistant professional at Hidden Creek Golf Course in Burleson, Texas, claimed Low PGA Professional honors edging Brian Norman, PGA teaching professional at Gleneagles Country Club, by one stroke with rounds of 71-71-69-67—278, 10-under-par. Gregory was elected to PGA Membership at the beginning of July making him eligible for this honor for first time this year.
The 72-hole stroke play event began with 156 contestants. Following 36-holes, the field was cut to the low 55 scores and ties. 59 players survived the cut, which was at 2-under-par 142. 57 professionals and two amateurs played the final two rounds. All four rounds were contested at The Lakes at Castle Hills, a 7,297-yard, par 72 layout located in Lewisville. The total purse was $182,500.
The 46th Veritex Bank Texas State Open was presented by Wick Phillips Attorney & Counselors. Children’s Health was the charitable partner.
Please note: (a) denotes amateur.
Final round results.
