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| Hudson Swafford wins the HGM Hotels Classic |
Former Georgia golfer Hudson Swafford notched his first professional victory on Saturday, claiming the eGolf Professional Tour's HGM Hotels Classic at Rock Barn.
Swafford entered the final round trailing by four shots, but had two birdies and an eagle over the last five holes to finish at 21-under 266 for a 1-shot win over Fernando Mechereffe.
Swafford earned the $30,000 first prize in just his sixth professional event.
“I was playing really well entering the week,” Swafford said. “I had a great practice round on Monday with (former Bulldogs) Brian Harman and Adam Mitchell, then came out slow with a 69 on the easier of the two courses. But I remained patient and was able to stick with it through the week.”
For Swafford, the win moved him up to No. 11 on the tour’s money list, thus solidifying his PGA Tour Q-School bonus – paid annually to the top 20 members on the regular-season-ending member money list.
“That bonus is huge. To be honest with you, that was the only thing I was really worried about coming down the stretch,” Swafford said. “That is such a huge deal at this time of year, to not have to worry about that $4,500 payment. It means a lot to me.”
In other results of ex-Bulldogs, Harman came in third at 19-under 268, Richard Scott placed 21st at 12-under 275 and Mitchell finished 31st at 10-under 277.
Swafford’s victory extended what has been a strong last few months for players associated with the Georgia golf team. Russell Henley and Harris English became just the second and third amateurs to win Nationwide Tour events and were named to the Walker Cup Team, while Bryden Macpherson claimed the British Amateur title and secured berths in the British Open and the Masters. Ex-Bulldogs Bubba Watson and Chris Kirk have wins on the PGA Tour this season, and Erik Compton posted a Nationwide Tour victory.
