PGA Tour Pro Wins 59th Mini Tour Event To Claim $1,333 First Prize
Eric Cole shot a 10-under 61 at the Abacoa September Classic on Florida-based developmental tour the Minor Golf League

Eric Cole has had the perfect preparation for the start of the FedEx Cup Fall section of the PGA Tour season with a resounding win on the Minor Golf League.
On Tuesday, the American competed in the Abacoa September Classic, a one-day event on the Florida-based developmental tour at the par-71 Abacoa Golf Club.
Cole was part of the 49-player field for the event, and it didn’t take long for his class to show through, as he shot a five-under 30 on the front nine before following that with a 31 after the turn to finish on a hugely impressive 10-under, two better than Korn Ferry Tour pro Dan McCarthy.
That was Cole’s 59th win on the Minor Golf League, but his appearance, which included an eagle on the 10th and eight birdies, was clearly not with a view to significantly boosting his bank balance.
The 36-year-old, who has PGA Tour career earnings of over $8.6m, banked just $1,333 for the win, which included $233 from the bonus pool, but the victory could prove invaluable for his confidence heading into the remaining months of the year.
A post shared by Minor League Golf Tour (@minorleaguegolftour)
A photo posted by on
Cole had an impressive breakout year in 2023, which earned him the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award. However, despite making more PGA Tour starts than any other player this season, with 29, he has not quite rediscovered his form of last year. As a result, he has slipped from 39th in the world rankings at the start of the year to 52nd.
Eric Cole was named 2023 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year
Encouragingly, there have been signs in recent months that his form has been moving in the right direction, with top-10 finishes in the Rocket Mortgage Classic, John Deere Classic and Wyndham Championship, and he’ll be looking to capitalize on that uptick as thoughts turn to the FedEx Cup Fall schedule, which includes eight tournaments.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Cole’s FedEx Cup Playoffs campaign ended after the BMW Championship, where he finished T46. As a result, he is currently placed 50th in the FedEx Cup standings. Crucially, that has already guaranteed him entry into all of next season’s prestigious signature events, but he will be keen to ensure his form remains solid over the coming months, beginning at next week’s Procore Championship at Silverado.
In particular, he will likely be keeping an eye on his world ranking, which is currently two beneath the cut-off he’ll need to reach by the end of the year to receive an invite to the 2025 Masters. A maiden PGA Tour win in the FedEx Cup Fall would guarantee his place. Otherwise, a strong end to the year would suffice.
With Cole’s convincing Abacoa September Classic performance in the bag, he will surely head to next week’s California event confident of achieving his remaining goals for the year.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
The Players Championship Picks, Predictions And Odds
The PGA Tour's flagship event is upon us and a bumper field is set to descend on TPC Sawgrass and The Players Championship
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Great Courses To Play In The County Where Double Major Champion Sandy Lyle Honed His Game
Jeremy Ellwood returns to Shropshire, one of England's least populated counties, to stay and play at The Astbury and tick a couple more courses off his list...
By Jeremy Ellwood Published
-
How Michael Kim Proved Rickie Fowler's 'Play Better' Statement Right
Last year, Michael Kim was outside of the World's top-150 and rarely playing in Signature Events, but recent good play has dramatically changed his prospects
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Quiz! Name Every Players Championship Winner Since 2000
The Players Championship has been won by a number of the game's greats since its inception in 1974
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Rory McIlroy Vows To Keep Trusty Driver In The Bag After Arnold Palmer Invitational Equipment Changes
Searching for a first Green Jacket, McIlroy is set to keep the older TaylorMade Qi10 driver in the bag for Augusta National and the first Major of the year
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'Are You Kidding Me?' - Golf Fans Frustrated Over Commercial Playing During Russell Henley's Arnold Palmer Invitational Winning Chip-In
Russell Henley's huge chip-in eagle on the 16th was almost missed due to a commercial playing on NBC Sports - and golf fans made their feelings known on X
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Russell Henley Wins Dramatic Arnold Palmer Invitational
Morikawa led by a single stroke going into the final round at Bay Hill, with a number of big names chasing down the two-time Major winner
By Matt Cradock Last updated
-
Keegan Bradley Breaks Bay Hill Front Nine Scoring Record During Final Round Of Arnold Palmer Invitational
The US Ryder Cup captain was in scintillating form during the fourth round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, shooting a front nine of 29
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Makes Drastic Equipment Changes Prior To Arnold Palmer Invitational Final Round
The four-time Major winner reportedly changed out his driver, 3-wood, 5-wood and 3-iron, as well as adding a gap wedge to his bag prior to his final round at Bay Hill
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Arnold Palmer Invitational Tee Times - Round Four
In a stacked leaderboard, it's two-time Major winner Collin Morikawa who has his nose in front ahead of the fourth round at Bay Hill
By Mike Hall Published