Jay Woodson (Richmond, Va.; Big Break Mexico) turned in a bogey-free 4-under par 68 to win the inaugural Big Break Invitational Reynolds Lake Oconee today by one stroke over Emily Talley (Napa, Calif.; Big Break Mexico / Big Break NFL Puerto Rico) and two shots over Tony Finau (Lehi, Utah; Big Break Disney Golf) and Tommy Gainey (Hartsville, S.C.; Big Break VII: Reunion Champion; Big Break IV: USA vs. Europe).
Woodson, 32, capped off a career week by turning in a birdie on 18 after a tremendous greenside bunker shot that came to rest six feet from the cup. With the victory, Woodson pockets $100,000 – the largest check in his professional career – and an automatic return invitation to the 2015 Big Break Invitational Reynolds Lake Oconee.
“I’m still a little in shock, but I’m super excited,” said Woodson following his victory. “I knew coming into the week that there were going to be great players here and it was going to be a tough test. But I knew what I was capable of doing, and I was confident in my abilities and just tried to stay patient and believe in myself.”
Talley, 24, playing in the final group and leading most of the day, had a one-stroke lead going into the par-3 17th. She mis-clubbed and hit her tee shot short in the water, leading to a double-bogey that dropped her two strokes behind Woodson. On 18, she recovered with a 12-foot birdie putt that secured a solo-second place finish at 3-under par and a $50,000 second prize check – $4,000 more than she has made in her two-year professional career on the Symetra Tour.
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