Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/901012
On the 18th, Kizzire played a ne ap- proach to 25-foot from a very awkward stance, before rolling his birdie attempt just short of the hole, setting up an easy par and a one-shot win. Fowler parred the hole too. Shooting 66-67 the last day, playing with the lead all tournament, facing down a hard-charging Fowler, a top 10 player in the world; all will do Kizzire's con dence the world of good. "I was glad to get it done," Kizzire said. "Rickie made me work hard." "We gave it a run, kept Patton honest, but he earned it out there today (Sunday)," the always engaging Fowler said. With the win, Kizzire earned his rst trip to the Masters in Augusta, Ga. next April and also earned a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. He picked up 500 FedEx Cup points with the win and now leads the FedEx Cup standings with 649 points through four events played. He entered the event ranked 30th. He now has a trio of top-10 nishes through four events this season. After missing the cut at the season-opening Safeway Open, he tied for 10th at the Sanderson Farms Championship and t-4th at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Some background… Kizzire was born in Montgomery, but moved to Tuscaloosa aged 2 and stayed there through start- ing college. As noted before, he won the State Ju- nior back-to-back in 2003 and '04, with his second win coming at home at Indian Hills CC. He would go on to win three other Alabama Golf Association state titles: 2003 and '06 State Match Play and 2004 State Four Ball with for- mer University of Alabama golfer Gator Todd. Kizzire played for three di erent high schools in four years. He started out at Tuscaloosa Academy, then trans- ferred to Central High School and then the new Northridge High School. He would win the individual state high school championship twice. He then played college golf for Auburn, with the highlight being his winning the individual title at the 2007 SEC's. He played the mini-tours for six years from 2008- 14, with some up and down years. Undoubtedly in 2014 was when he turned the corner as won an event on the NGA (formerly Hooters Tour) and then took the Hopkins Golf Tour's Tour Championship. He nished high up both tour's money lists that year and went into "Q" School riding some con - dence. A resident the last few years of Sea Island, Ga., he advanced through all three stages of "Q" School in 2014 and, after a strong start, became fully exempt on the 2015 Web.com Tour. He kept riding the wave and ended up with two Web.com Tour wins and was named 2015 Player of the Year, which he told me in early 2015 was his goal. This got him on the PGA Tour starting with the 2015-16 season and he has made steady progress ever since, keeping his card and is now in his third full season with the big boys. It's looking like being a very special season for Kizzire… PATTON KIZZIRE BREAKS THROUGH FOR HIS FIRST PGA TOUR WIN In recognition of the milestone of recently reaching my 250th issue, I'm pleased to offer a special "Lifetime" subscription offer of $100 for 10 years of issues! That's right, this special offer is available now and will mean you won't have to pay $30 annually, but rather a one-time payment of $100 for up to 10 years of issues. This option is available when you click the Subscribe Now! button. The last two Auburn golfers to win on the PGA Tour: Jason Dufner and Patton Kizzire Patton back in his AU days! To the victor go the spoils. Patton holds the Mayakoba trophy.