It’s been nearly 11 years since good-guy Chez Reavie earned his first and only victory on the PGA Tour.
He’s been trending up, his tie for third at the U.S. Open proved that.
On Sunday at The Travelers, Chez started the day with a six-shot monster lead, saw it shrink to a shot down the stretch, but he bounced back and did what he had to do to end that victory drought that lingered for more than a decade.
Things got a little testy for Reavie, who saw Keegan Bradley get within a shot with a birdie at the 15th that put the former PGA champ five-under for the day. Things fell apart for Bradley at the 17th and there was a huge swing on the toughest hole at the TPC River Highlands. Bradley found the fairway bunker and that would lead to a double-bogey six while Reavie made birdie to slam the door.
In the end, Chez’ 69 and 17-under total was good for a four-shot win over Bradley and surprise contender Zach Sucher, who gave himself a huge boost toward exempt status with his tie for second.
Chez had time to exhale afterward.
“It it means everything,” he said of his second tour win. “I knew Keegan was going to come out firing today and ready to go. I’ve played a lot of golf with him. He’s a fantastic player. just was fortunate enough to stay patient and make that big putt on 17 to give myself a little cushion on 18.”
It’s been a long time coming for Reavie, who has worked his back after wrist surgery in January of 2014.
“I had a great support system: my wife and my family and trainers and coaches. Everyone kind of rallied behind me and picked me up on my down days,” Reavie recalled. “Once I got going and I started seeing that I can hit golf shots and I saw the progress I was making, I was excited and ready to go.”
2 Comments
baxter cepeda
I randomly got to meet chez in Hawaii during his hiatus from the tour. We were the only ones on the range.
I had to ask why he looked so familiar. After he reminded me we chatted for a little while about everything from the tour, to Tiger to Phil and much more.
He was hitting a few irons and looked good doing it even during injury. I was sure then He would win again. Always glad to see my predictions pan out.
I also predict chez will be on tv in a few years.
Between his old victory, this comeback victory of sorts, those strong blue eyes and that cool, opinionated personality I experienced, there’s now no doubt Chez should do some tv work at some point.
Tom Edrington
Thanks, there are so many guys out on tour right now that I wouldn’t know if we bumped into each other on the street; Used to know virtually everyone; Players come and go, the game remains.