Tim O'Neil: First Champions Tour Win!

Written on 21 October 2024.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Tim O'Neal made two birdies on the last three holes Sunday and closed with a 7-under 65 to win for the first time on the PGA TOUR Champions, a two-shot victory over Ricardo Gonzalez in the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.

O'Neal had a one-shot lead for much of the back nine at The Country Club of Virginia until he delivered two of his best shots, a wedge into 6 feet on the par-5 16th and a wedge that landed next to the hole and spun back to 5 feet on the par-5 18th.

Gonzalez missed three birdie chances inside 10 feet down the stretch, forcing him to make eagle on the closing hole to get into a playoff. He missed the fairway to the left, hit a hook into the bunker and had to settle for par and a 69.

For the 52-year-old O'Neal, this was a long time coming. He was best know for a pair of heartaches in Q-school as he tried to get onto the PGA TOUR, the most crushing in 2000 when he needed bogey on the last hole and made a triple bogey.

He never earned a PGA TOUR victory, winning three times on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and three more on smaller European Tours.

“It only takes one week, and this was my week," O'Neal said as he tried to hold back tears.

This was a good week for him to break through. He was one of three players who moved into the top 54 in the Charles Schwab Cup to advance to the second postseason event next week in Arkansas. O'Neal went from No. 55 to No. 13, assuring he will be among the top 36 who play in the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

“For me to get it done when I had to, that means a lot,” O'Neal said.

He is among the more popular players on the Champions Tour, with players coming over to congratulate him even as Gonzalez was coming up the 18th hole.

O'Neal's 65 was the low round of the week, and he finished at 13-under 203.

He was one shot ahead on the 16th when Gonzalez, playing in the group behind him, hit wedge to 3 feet for a certain birdie. O'Neal hit it tight to assure he would stay one ahead, and then he played a perfect wedge into the 18th that all but sealed it.

David Brandson shot 67 to finish third and move into the top 54, while Paul Goydos birdied three of his last four holes for a 70 to tie for fifth and move up 11 spots to No. 48.

Chris DiMarco, Kirk Triplett and Angel Cabrera dropped out of the top 54 in the Charles Schwab Cup, ending their season.

[pgatour.com]

Eastside Golf Releases New Holiday Collection: Everyone's Game

Written on 17 October 2024.

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eastside Golf, the lifestyle golf brand changing the cultural perception of the game, today announced the release of its highly anticipated Everyone's Game holiday collection.

On October 18th, six signature pieces from the collection will launch exclusively for early sale on Complex.com. The pieces from the collection featured in the shop are a headcover, cardigan sweater, tracksuit, flat brim hat, oversize performance tee and pompom beanie. On October 21, the full collection will be available for purchase on eastsidegolf.com.

Inspired by Eastside Golf's mission to inspire the culture, promote diversity and stay true to its authentic roots, the Everyone's Game collection celebrates golf's ability to inspire greatness. The collection aims to reach across the traditional golf landscape by positioning golf as a game for everyone to create a more welcoming and diverse sport.

"Eastside Golf believes in the philosophy that golf is an amazing game traditionally 'passed down' by family and mentors or 'passed to' by friends. With Everyone's Game as our mantra, our goal is to ensure it is no longer 'passed over' due to a lack of awareness, opportunity, or its ability to connect with our communities," said Olajuwon Ajanaku, founder and creative director of Eastside Golf. "We are excited to launch this collection and work with our friends at Complex for early access to some of our favorite pieces."

"Working with a partner like Complex to launch our Everyone's Game holiday collection is another opportunity to continue to break the mold in how people view golf," said Earl Cooper, co-founder and CEO of Eastside Golf. "By bringing high fashion, culture and authenticity to the game, we're signaling that golf is a game for anyone who wants to be a part of it, in whatever way they want to be a part of it. Whether you're wearing a swingman sweatshirt or tracksuit, our collection fits just as well on the street as they do on the course."

Pieces of the Everyone's Game collection, including the brand's first-ever footwear collaboration with Nike, were previewed at Eastside Golf's first-ever retail experience at Shopify NY during New York Fashion Week in September. Included in the preview were Eastside Golf's first footwear collaboration with Nike, featuring Nike Air Max 1 '86 OG' and Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 shoes. In a first for golf shoes from Nike, each model comes with a set of three double-sided removable Nike swooshes that can be popped on and off to customize the look of the all-white shoes. The shoes are available for preorder on eastsidegolf.com.

[Source:cnhinews.com]