Watkins Wins 55th M&P Group Texas State Open
Doggett (a) Claims Low Amateur Honors
Bingaman Finishes as Top PGA Professional
TYLER, Texas (August 1) – Matthew Watkins of Rockwall, TX, claimed victory at the 55th M&P Group Texas State Open at Cascades Country Club. Rounds of 64-62-65-67–258, 22-under-par, earned him a one-stroke win and $40,000.
Watkins began his final round with two consecutive birdies and stretched his lead to four strokes. Bogeys on the 3rd and 5th holes saw the lead shrink back to two. Two birdies on the par-5, 6th and 8th holes got him to a 2-under-par, front nine.
On the 10th tee, Watkins held a two-stroke lead over Josh Radcliff of Keller, TX. The leaderboard got even tighter after a bogey on the 12th hole, but Watkins surged ahead with a definitive eagle on the par-5 14th hole.
Four pars on the closing stretch were enough for Watkins to close out the Texas State Open title. “It’s great. Today was an absolute battle of nerves and just trying to get it done. It feels amazing,” said Watkins.
“I talked to my coach Randy Smith, and he said at some point you are going to fall down a little bit, and it is all about not letting it affect you. So I just tried not to let it affect me, and I just came back towards the end,” said Watkins about today’s round.
In 2021 and 2023, he earned Low Amateur honors, but today’s victory marks his second professional win. “I've had positions, a chance to win, when I didn't win and I threw it away, so I am just learning from past mistakes, making sure I am hitting it in the middle and having really good speed on my putts.”
Watkins is a former Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour member. After starting his junior golf career playing team golf on the Buffalo Creek Aces, he played on every level of the junior tour. Watkins credits those experiences for learning how to win.
Blake Elliott of Bullard, TX, finished one stroke behind Watkins at 21-under-par, after a closing round of 32-32–64.
Sam Murphy of Ruston, LA, made a final round charge with a round of 31-29–60, 10-under-par. That was the lowest round of the week and vaulted him to a T4 finish.
Grant Doggett (a) of Beach City, TX, claimed the Low Amateur title. He carded rounds of 67-68-64-70–269, 11-under-par.
“It feels good. I feel like I have put in a lot of hard work, I did a lot of things well, I hit the ball well, could have made some more putts, so I could have finished a little bit higher, but I will definitely take Low Am,” said Doggett.
The PGA Professional Division was claimed by Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, TX. He carded rounds of 66-67-72-68–273, 7-under-par.
“Taking Low PGA Professional is pretty cool. It’s a great field out here, so I’m just trying to compete with these guys,” said Bingaman. “I played solid, can’t complain about shooting 7-under.”
This is the 5th straight year that a Northern Texas PGA Professional has claimed this division.
One college scholarship was also awarded today after play to Cameron Phillips of Tyler, TX. He was awarded the $5,000 M&P Group Texas State Open Scholarship.
The 55th M&P Group Texas State Open was a 72-hole stroke play event with a field of 156 professionals and amateurs. They competed for an overall Championship purse of $201,000
This was the M&P Group’s third year as the title sponsor, and the Championship was presented by Joyce Crane and supported by CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, Holiday Inn - Tyler Conference Center, Jucys and Patterson Tyler.
Cascades Country Club
Par: 35-35–70
Yardage: 6,882 yards
View final results HERE
