Ben Cook Claims Top PGA Professional at PGA Championship
Ben Cook Claims Top PGA Professional at PGA Championship
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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
-
Curt Byrum Facts: 15 Things To Know About The Broadcaster
Curt Bryrum went from PGA Tour-winning pro to a career in broadcasting - here are 15 things to know about the American
By Mike Hall Published
-
Who Has The Most DP World Tour Championship Titles?
The DP World Tour Championship has been the finale of the circuit’s season since 2009, when the Race to Dubai replaced the Order of Merit
By Mike Hall Published
-
"No One Really Gave A S**t" Brooks Koepka Reacts To PGA Championship Crowds
"No One Really Gave A S**t" Brooks Koepka Reacts To PGA Championship Crowds
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Phil Mickelson Becomes Oldest Ever Major Winner At PGA Championship
Phil Mickelson Becomes Oldest Ever Major Winner At PGA Championship
By Matt Cradock Published
-
WATCH: Mickelson Holes Incredible Shot From The Sand At PGA
Lefty produced this moment of magic during the final round of the PGA Championship
By Andrew Wright Published
-
Brooks Koepka: 'Worst Putting Performance Of My Career'
The American is one back heading into the final round of the PGA Championship despite, what he thinks is, the worst putting display of his career
By Elliott Heath Published
-
PGA Championship Tee Times: Final Round
Check out the tee times for the final round of the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island
By Andrew Wright Published
-
WATCH: Mickelson Makes Stunning Up-And-Down To Lead PGA Championship
We witnessed some Mickelson magic on the final hole at Kiawah Island to keep his one stroke lead intact
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Forgetting His Clothes And Facetiming His Coach - Herbert's Crazy Friday
The 25-year-old Aussie had a crazy start to his Friday at the PGA Championship - and it ended very well with a cut successfully made
By Elliott Heath Published
-
YE Yang Disqualified From PGA Championship
The South Korean was notified after completing his second round
By Andrew Wright Published