For the first time in its 46-year history, a woman has won a PGA Tournament Series Event.
Stephanie Connelly-Eiswerth of Fleming Island, Florida, tapped in for bogey on the final hole to sign for a final-round 4-under 67 at the Ryder Course at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and a one-shot victory over Tyler Collet of John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Florida.
“Oh, really? That’s cool!” said Connelly-Eiswerth, a PGA Teaching Professional in Jacksonville. “There’s not many of us (women) playing in the PGA Tournament Series, but there’s been more lately. That’s really cool.
“It feels wonderful to win. I have finished second a lot this year.”
Connelly-Eiswerth finished at 10 under. In these events, women play at 83.7 percent of the yardage that men do. At PGA Golf Club, the men played 6,702 yards, while the women played 5,614.
“It’s a pitch-and-putt golf course for Stephanie,” said Collet. “If I knew the yardage going into this week, I would have bet on her to win. That’s actually a compliment to her. She’s that good of a player.”
“I knew a lot of the guys would be out chasing,” Connelly-Eiswerth said. “There were definitely some opportunities to make birdies. I just said to keep chasing and play like I’m behind.”
