Oberholser Gets First Tour Win on ‘Home’ Course
On a course he has played dozens of times ever since he was a teenager, Arron Oberholser finally broke through and grabbed his first PGA Tour victory. The San Jose State University graduate couldn’t have written a better script as he strolled down the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach on a glorious sunny day before a cheering crowd with a five-stroke lead over his closest pursuer.
No further drama ensued as the 31-year-old made a safe par on the famous par-5. Oberholser closed with an even-par 72 for a 17-under 271 total to win the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and take home $972,000.
Oberholser’s tally was five strokes lower than that of Rory Sabbatini, who also shot a 72 on Sunday. Mike Weir, who shared the third-round lead with Oberholser, stumbled and closed with a 6-over 78 to fall into a tie for third with Jonathan Byrd (69).
The victory came on Oberholser’s 76th start on the PGA Tour. He became the first player since Matt Gogel in 2002 to make the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am his first Tour win. The victory was particularly pleasing since it came on a course he’s revered since childhood.
“I always watched guys growing up win the golf tournament, and the walk up 18 at Pebble Beach is unlike anything else,” he said. “Even when you’re playing here by yourself, or with a foursome, it’s still an incredible walk. But knowing that you’re the champion . . . I wish everybody could feel that way. It’s incredible.”
Oberholser said he battled with his swing throughout the final round, but managed to hold things together as the rest of field fell back. “I didn’t feel that confident in my swing,” Oberholser said. “I think Mike sensed it a little bit, that I was starting to choke on some cotton. He was doing his best to put some pressure on me.”
But Weir’s game left him. Though Weir hit many fairways, the Canadian left-hander couldn’t get up and down for pars. “My wedge game and putting was what killed me,” Weir said.
As for Oberholser, he’ll take advantage of all the perks enjoyed by a PGA Tour winner, including qualifying for a possible million-dollar payday at the Accenture Match Play Championship in La Costa on February 22-26, and an automatic entry in all of golf’s majors.
No further drama ensued as the 31-year-old made a safe par on the famous par-5. Oberholser closed with an even-par 72 for a 17-under 271 total to win the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and take home $972,000.
Oberholser’s tally was five strokes lower than that of Rory Sabbatini, who also shot a 72 on Sunday. Mike Weir, who shared the third-round lead with Oberholser, stumbled and closed with a 6-over 78 to fall into a tie for third with Jonathan Byrd (69).
The victory came on Oberholser’s 76th start on the PGA Tour. He became the first player since Matt Gogel in 2002 to make the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am his first Tour win. The victory was particularly pleasing since it came on a course he’s revered since childhood.
“I always watched guys growing up win the golf tournament, and the walk up 18 at Pebble Beach is unlike anything else,” he said. “Even when you’re playing here by yourself, or with a foursome, it’s still an incredible walk. But knowing that you’re the champion . . . I wish everybody could feel that way. It’s incredible.”
Oberholser said he battled with his swing throughout the final round, but managed to hold things together as the rest of field fell back. “I didn’t feel that confident in my swing,” Oberholser said. “I think Mike sensed it a little bit, that I was starting to choke on some cotton. He was doing his best to put some pressure on me.”
But Weir’s game left him. Though Weir hit many fairways, the Canadian left-hander couldn’t get up and down for pars. “My wedge game and putting was what killed me,” Weir said.
As for Oberholser, he’ll take advantage of all the perks enjoyed by a PGA Tour winner, including qualifying for a possible million-dollar payday at the Accenture Match Play Championship in La Costa on February 22-26, and an automatic entry in all of golf’s majors.
posted by Michelle at 2:52 PM
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