Justin Smith Wins E-Z-GO South Florida Open With Birdie in Playoff
By CRAIG DOLCH
Special to South Florida PGA
NAPLES – Having endured a final-hole bogey to force a playoff and two weather delays, Justin Smith still felt supremely confident as he walked up the fairway to face a 20-foot birdie putt on the third extra hole Thursday at the E-Z-GO South Florida Open.
“I looked at E.J. McDonnell, our director of golf, and I said, ‘I’m going to bury this thing.’ And I buried that thing,” Smith said. “That felt really good.”
Smith’s winning putt ended a long day and enabled the PGA Instructor at Bonita Bay West to defeat Ryan Fountain and earn his first South Florida PGA title. Smith shook off a bogey at the 18th hole to make a couple of pars and then the confident birdie stroke to win at Bonita Bay-Cypress.
“I wasn’t even fazed by it (bogey at 18),” Smith said about missing a par putt by an inch. “I didn’t ever look at a leaderboard. It’s the first time I did not ask or look at a board until I was done. They told me I was in a playoff and I’m like, ‘OK, cool.’”
Fountain, a PGA Assistant Professional at the Bear’s Club, shot a 4-under 68 to force the playoff at 13-under 203. Fountain had six birdies, but one of his two bogeys came at the 17th hole.
Smith credited PGA Tour veteran Brian Harmon, a childhood friend, for helping him with his mental and short game. Smith grew up in Savannah and still plays with Harmon and his fellow PGA Tour pals at Sea Island. Smith said he has dedicated himself to improving his game with a strict routine that includes 5 a.m. wake-up calls and yoga.
“We all go through ruts in life, and you have to get yourself out of it,” Smith said. “You have to be the best version of you, and you have to figure that out on your own. You have to work hard and set goals, and if you don’t accomplish those goals, work even harder.”
Tied for third, two shots back at 11-under 205, were PGA Assistant Professionals Andrew Filbert (67) of West Bay and Tyler Collet (69) of John’s Island Club. Christian De Greiff (71-206) of TPC Eagle Trace was fifth, a shot ahead of PGA Assistant Professional Alan Morin (71-207) of The Club at Ibis. Morin has won the event three times.
The E-Z-GO South Florida Open is presented by E-Z-GO and run by the South Florida PGA. Supporting partners are Biolyte, On the Green, Prized Possessions, Srixon, Turfhound and Riptide Brewing Company.
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