Ben Cook Claims Top PGA Professional at PGA Championship

Ben Cook Claims Top PGA Professional at PGA Championship

Ben Cook Low PGA Pro
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Ben Cook enjoyed a memorable week at Kiawah Island, with the American finishing eight shots clear of nearest challenger, Brad Marek.

Ben Cook Claims Top PGA Professional at PGA Championship

The 27-year-old, who was featuring in his third consecutive PGA Championship, cruised to the title, with a final round 74 securing an eight shot victory.

Cook, who finished solo third at the PGA Professional Championship to qualify for Kiawah Island, had shot rounds of 72, 77 and a fantastic three-under-par 69 to put himself comfortably in the lead.

Ben Cook Low PGA Pro

Cook and caddie Michael Mignano. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America/PGA of America via Getty Images)

With Marek producing a four-over-par final round, Cook would have a comfortable margin as he started his final round.

With birdies at the second and fifth, he extended his lead further, and despite three bogies in his next four holes, managed to sit at level-par for his front nine.

A bogey at the 12th and a double at the 13th were only blips, with the 27-year-old birdieing the par-5 16th to move back to two-over-par.

With pars at the penultimate and final hole, Cook would claim the top PGA Professional with a four-over-par tournament total, with Marek finishing at a respectable 12-over-par.

Ben Cook Low PGA Pro

Marek produced rounds of 73, 73, 78 & 76. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)

The American, who featured in the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship this year, managed to beat over 100 players in the field, including world number one, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy.

Speaking after his round, Cook said: "It's been amazing. My family and friends are here and after the first two days when I knew I was going to be here for the weekend we were all super excited.

"I can use what I learnt from these guys with my lessons for sure, how they practice and prepare, I can use that to tell my students, but I'm so happy."

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Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x