Walts, Reynolds Earn Finalist Spots for Duel in the Desert Finale
Friend and McCorkle Headed to Lajitas Golf Resort for Duel in the Desert
WHITNEY, TX (October 6) – Chase Walts, PGA assistant professional at Trinity Forest Golf Club, and Gabe Reynolds, PGA director of instruction at Topgolf - Dallas, have advanced through the field of 32 professionals to secure finalist spots at the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon / Cleveland Golf Match Play Championship. The two will compete in the Duel in the Desert at Lajitas Golf Resort on December 7-8. They will play a 36-hole final match at Lajitas Golf Resort’s Black Jack’s Crossing, the number one-rated public golf course in Texas.
Based on their performance during the 2026 Northern Texas PGA season, 40 PGA Professionals qualified for the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon / Cleveland Golf Match Play Championship at White Bluff Resort. The field featured 32 players in the Open Division and eight in the Senior Division.
The Open Division field of 32 dwindled to eight after the first two rounds conducted on Monday, October 5, with the following PGA Professionals competing in Tuesday’s quarter-final matches and semi-final matches for the two coveted spots in the final:
- (1) Chase Walts, PGA assistant professional at Trinity Forest Golf Club
- (2) Spencer Dillard, PGA director of golf at Golf Clubs at The Tribute
- (4) Jarred Jeter, PGA assistant professional at Freestone Lake and Golf Club
- (7) Gabe Reynolds, PGA director of instruction at Topgolf - Dallas
- (24) Brandon Munso, PGA head professional at Lakewood Country Club
- (27) Thomas Devanna, PGA head professional at White Bluff Resort - New Course
- (28) Reid Parrish, PGA head professional at River Crest Country Club
- (30) Tyler Kuhn, PGA instructor at STiKS Indoor Golf
Walts began match play as the No. 1seed and faced off against the No. 32 seed, Brandon Veld, PGA director of golf at Red Feather Golf and Social Club. It took 19 holes, but a birdie in the first playoff hole earned Walts the win.
In the second round, Walts cruised to a 4-up lead through five holes against No. 17 Angella Then, PGA director of instruction at Indian Creek Golf Club. He held that lead, eventually winning the match 4&3.
In the quarter-finals, Walts took on the No. 24 seed Brandon Munso, PGA head professional at Lakewood Country Club. “I hit a lot of really, really smart golf shots. We made a ton of pars between the two of us,” said Walts about the match. Eventually, Walts secured a 1-up victory, having only trailed for one hole.
The semi-final match started differently for Walts, as his opponent, the No.4 seed Jarred Jeter, PGA assistant professional at Freestone Lake and Golf Club, took a 3-up lead just three holes into the match.
“I made a nice birdie on 9 to halve the hole, and then I don’t know what happened, but something clicked. The birdies on 10, 11 and 12 were really nice. The whole back nine is some of the best ball striking I’ve had in a long time,” said Walts.
Walts had a 1-up lead standing on the 18th tee, but a solid drive paired with an approach shot to three feet from Jeter forced extra holes.
Walts hit his drive up the left center of the fairway before finding the green and a 30-foot putt. He lagged his putt to about two feet, and the putt was conceded to give him the victory in 19 holes.
“Being new to Texas, I didn’t know [Lajitas] even existed until a couple of months ago. Since then, I’ve been seeing it everywhere. I’m excited it’s gonna be really cool,” said Walts about going to Lajitas for the first time.
On the other side of the bracket, Gabe Reynolds was the No.7 seed and took on Dru Hein, PGA assistant professional at Midland Country Club in the first round. He held a 4-up lead through nine holes and never looked back, winning 4&3.
Round two saw him go against No. 10 Jeff Barton, PGA director of instruction at Preston Trail Golf Club. Reynolds made three birdies and an eagle on the front nine, before adding another on the par-5, 12th hole. Reynolds closed out the match, winning 6&4.
His quarter-final matchup was against the No.2 overall seed, Spencer Dillard, PGA director of golf at Golf Clubs at The Tribute. Ten birdies, an eagle and only one bogey were made between the two, eventually resulting in a 1-up victory for Reynolds.
Reynolds faced No. 30 Tyler Kuhn, PGA instructor at STiKS Indoor Golf, in his semi-final match. He never held more than a 1-up lead throughout, but he also never trailed. Kuhn battled all match, but Reynolds eventually won 1-up.
“They’re all such good guys, so it’s fun getting to do this. In some ways it’s like playing your brothers, and so you want it even more. There have been plenty of wars where those guys have gotten the best of me, so it’s a special week,” said Reynolds about his matches.
Reynolds played in the Duel in the Desert in 2024 and is excited to return. “It’s my single favorite golf experience I’ve ever had. It’s such a beautiful place, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
The Senior Division finalists were determined Monday afternoon, with Clayton Friend, PGA head professional at Pinecrest Country Club, and Todd McCorkle, PGA Life Member, advancing to the finals.
Friend was the No. 1 seed heading into match play and started his morning with a big win. He defeated No. 8 Vince Jewell, PGA director of instruction at Woodbridge Golf Club, 1 up.
“I could never really get comfortable during that match. I was very fortunate to make birdie on 17 and then par on 18 to finish that match,” said Friend about his quarter-final match.
In his semi-final match, Friend played against the No. 4 seed, Brennan Little, PGA Member.
The match was tied as the players made the turn, but three birdies from Friend led to a 3&2 victory to send him to Lajitas.
Speaking about his semi-final match, Friend said, “I finally found a headspace where I could just calm down, play golf and try to have some fun. The last nine holes I played really solid golf.”
“It’ll be my first time, and I can’t wait. I’ll be honored to be there,” said Friend about going to Lajitas Golf Resort.
The No. 2-seeded McCorkle played against No. 7 Stuart Hendley, PGA director of instruction at Dallas Athletic Club. “This morning (Monday) was awesome. I think I was three or four under, but Stuart is just such a competitor. It was a battle, so I had to bring my best stuff,” said McCorkle about the match. The battle ended with a 3&1 win for McCorkle to advance to the semi-finals.
On Monday afternoon, he faced off against No. 3 Pablo del Olmo, PGA instructor at the PGA Coaching Center. The two are familiar with each other in match play and played a 25-hole match at White Bluff Resort in 2024, resulting in a del Olmo win.
“Pablo made three birdies and an eagle in the first 7 holes, so I had to just keep chipping away. I finally made birdie on 18 to draw even and then he caught a tough break in the playoff,” said McCorkle.
It took 19 holes, but McCorkle got the win and some redemption.
“It’s my first time down there, and Clayton is one of my best buddies, so it’s a no-lose proposition,” McCorkle said about the finals match at Lajitas Golf Resort.
Following the conclusion of the Match Play Championship, the Yamaha Golf-Car | Srixon / Cleveland Golf Player of the Year presented by Adventures In Golf, the Woman Player of the Year, and the Rolex | XXIO Senior Points Challenge winners will be named.
In addition to the extra points, the field is competing for a Championship purse of $56,300, with the Open Division champion earning $10,000, while the Senior Division champion will take home $5,000.
The Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon / Cleveland Golf Match Play Championship was presented by Adventures In Golf, Lajitas Golf Resort, PGA TOUR, THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, TPx Communications and XXIO.
