GLENVIEW, Ill. – Auburn men's golf alum Trace Crowe captured the first professional win of his career Sunday, shooting 25-under 259 and edging out Patrick Fishburn on the second hole of a playoff to walk out of the Korn Ferry Tour's NV5 Invitational with a victory.
"That was a fun battle," Crowe said. "Now, we're right where we need to be to get that Tour card. If I keep playing the way I'm doing, we should be just fine."
After making just two cuts in his eight previous KFT appearances, Crowe strung together a 66-64-63-66 week to craft the most masterful showing of his post-collegiate career. Heading into the 72nd hole of the tournament, the Greenville, South Carolina native led by two shots, however a late eagle from Fishburn forced a sudden death playoff. Both men birdied the first hole, but Crowe's par on the second hole outplayed a bogey from Fishburn to secure the title.
His final round began with a triple on No. 2, however, he rebounded quickly, making seven birdies on holes 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, and 15 to jump right back in it. Only two players have previously won on the KFT with a triple in their fourth round.
"I was just in shock for a second," Crowe said, "and I knew I had been putting and playing great. I just hung in there and started making some birdies, got some confidence and knew I could still do it."
The win is projected to push Crowe from 139th to 36th on the tour's points list. The top 30 men on the points list at the end of the season will receive their PGA Tour cards. There are seven events left for Crowe to make a push this season.
A 2019 graduate, Crowe left Auburn as a two-time All-SEC and a three-time PING All-Region player. He ranks ninth in the history books with a 71.99 career scoring average.
Also competing at the NV5 Invitational were program alums Andrew Kozan (T30/-15), Jacob Solomon (T49/-12), Michael Johnson (T69/-9) and Blayne Barber (MC/-4).