With eight holes remaining in the last round of the Korn Ferry Tour’s Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, Ben Silverman, a 35 year-old journeyman playing on a sponsor exemption, held a five shot lead.
To give one back, he bogeyed No. 11. He made a double-bogey 7 at the par-5 18th hole. Cody Blick birdied both the 12th hole and the 14th to extend his lead. He missed the 17th hole, but made a clutch birdie at the 18th to score a 66. This allowed him to track down Silverman (who shot a 70) and force a playoff.
In the playoff, the duo faced off again on the 18th. This time, it was Blick who made a double-bogey 7. Silverman won the victory by winning par, his first win anywhere in six years.
“I am very proud of myself. I am very happy. Even if I didn’t win, it would have been an amazing week. Silverman stated that the trophy is even more special. “I just want to celebrate with my family, my wife, my coach, support staff, and everyone else when I return home. It’s very special.”
A special honorary membership to the Abaco Club is also available.
He said, “I didn’t know, but that’s incredible, honorary member out there.” “You can be sure I’m going with my wife, friends and sponsors. We’re definitely returning for a vacation, that’s for certain.”
Last year, the Canadian won the Price Cutter Charity Championship at the KFT.
To tie for third, Shad Tuten shot 12 under, Fabian Gomez, Matt McCarty and Tom Whitney. Chandler Phillips, the winner of the season opener one week ago, was T-12.
Scott Brown made Monday’s 36-hole cut. He received a call saying that he was in line for the Farmers Insurance Open of the PGA Tour. John Huh had withdrew so Brown flew to San Diego from the Bahamas.
With back-to-back events held in the Bahamas, the Korn Ferry Tour’s 2023 season opened. The two next tournaments will take place in Panama and Colombia within the next two weeks. After that, the tour takes a five week break. The Club Car Championship in Savannah will host the first U.S. tournament this year, which will take place March 23-26.
