Karl Vilips provided a last -minute invitation to the players and became the first golf to win at PGA Tour dressed in the Tiger Woods’ brand with an impressive victory in Puerto Rico Open.
Vilips, only making his fourth start of PGA Tour and the third since the professional return, fired an eight-nine 64 excellent day at the Grand Reserve Golf Club to finish the week on 26th and claim a three-stroke victory.
The 23-year-old became an ambassador of Woods’ Sun Day Red’s “Sun Day Red” dresses last month and is the first to win at PGA Tour dressed in clothing, receiving messages from the former Bota No. 1 during and after his changing career victory.
“It was hard because I got into my phone after the round and I was just moving, how was you sending me messages?” Vilips said after his victory. “I have one by a random number that called me too.
“Then it was a voice mail saying it’s Tiger and I couldn’t like to process it in the moment, I was just trying – I’ll get back to it later. That’s very interesting.
“I signed it (deal with Sun Day Red) three weeks ago, so not long after a red sun player has won a victory. I think it’s really special. I think there is a reason why they chose me to repeat their brand and I’m just happy to be able to do it in a way like me.”
Australia’s victory wins him a place in TPC Sawgrass and PGA Championship in May, along with a two-year exception in PGA Tour.
“I’m just excited to sleep on my bed, cook my meals, be with my roommates,” Vilips – who lives in Jacksonville – for players. “It will be a lot of fun. Never had a chance to make a home tournament.
“Of course just moving there in November, I played a gang course. It looks really good. The last time I played was three weeks ago, so I’m sure it’s in pristine form and I’m really excited.
“That was the big goal, I wanted to get into the players and I knew I had to win this week to make it. Just a dream come true to be able to play on that tournament.”
Vilips responded to a sensational load from Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen of Denmark, who caught the chest of six straight holes to start nine back and closed with a 63. Dane briefly took the advantage when the Vilips made a bogey in the 12th hole with a wedge from the first road.
Vilips never crashed as he Zogu the next three holes, including a smart step to place birds in the 14th hole of the 14th to recover in front of a five-legged bird in the other.
A recent bird bird extended the winner of the Vilips over Neergaard-Petersen, while Joseph Bramlett finished five strokes in the third and amateur Kieron Van Wyk shared fourth place with Steven Fisk.
Who will win the players? Look from March 13-16 directly to Sky Sports. Direct coverage from the opening round starts on Thursday from 11.30 am Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or Broadcasting Without Contract Now.
