Royce Thompson (Web.com Tour)
SPRINGFIELD – Ben Silverman set a goal to become a member of the PGA TOUR before he turned 30. The 29-year-old Silverman birdied the par-5 18th hole, carded a final-round, 4-under 67 and finished at 25-under-par 263, one ahead of Talor Gooch.
Chesson Hadley had a chance to tie Silverman, with an eagle at the last, but hit his approach into the water and made par to finish solo third, two back.
For the second consecutive year, Canada’s flag was raised during the trophy ceremony in Springfield, Missouri. Following in Mackenzie Hughes’ footsteps, the 29-year-old from Thornhill, Ontario, hoisted the trophy and collected a check worth $121,500 on the 18th green at Highland Springs Country Club. The first-place prize moved Silverman from No. 63 to No. 16 on the money list and secured his TOUR card for the 2017-18 season.
“It’s amazing,” said Silverman, who will be joining Hughes on TOUR in the fall. “Since I was 16 years old, I have wanted to be a professional golfer. I also made a goal that I wanted to be on the PGA TOUR before my 30th (birthday) and I’m 29. I’m hitting my goals and I’m excited.”
The Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada alum had a life-changing experience three weeks ago. On July 18, Silverman’s wife Morgan gave birth to their first child, Jack Palmer. Silverman’s time at home, with his wife and newborn, changed his perspective on golf and life in general.
“I’m in a different frame of mind,” he said. “It’s just different now after having a son. Golf is not 100 percent everything that matters anymore.”
Silverman opened with a 2-under 70 and then 63-63-67. Over his final 61 holes, the West Palm Beach, Florida, resident made 20 birdies, two eagles and no bogeys. The back-to-back 9-under-par rounds beat his previous Tour best by a stroke.
“I couldn’t miss with the putter,” said Silverman, who needed 107 putts for the week. “It felt so good. I was seeing the breaks and I think I was at 8-under for the round without realizing it. Things were just clicking.”
In early July, Silverman played with Brice Garnett at the Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank. Garnett went on to win the tournament and Silverman finished tied for fifth. It was in that moment, competing alongside Garnett, that the three-year pro learned how what it took to triumph when in contention.
“That experience taught me a lot,” said Silverman, about his experience in Utah. “It was the first time where camera crews were chasing us around when he was in the lead and there were a lot of people. It kind of was a little unsettling when I was in that situation. Today, I was able to keep my focus even though the start of the round was a little shaky. I finished strong and made some good swings.”
Silverman saw Gooch birdie the 72nd hole in the group in front of him to tie for the lead at 24-under. Silverman’s mind was made up when Gooch tied him for the lead. From 201 yards, the Florida Atlantic University grad hit a 5-iron to 15 feet and two-putted for his maiden Tour win.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “Someday when he (Jack Palmer) grows up, I’ll tell him. I’m just so excited to share it with him and my wife (Morgan). I wish they could be here right now. They will be in Portland, I’m just so excited to see them and share it with them.”
