Kamaiu Johnson delivers final-round 61 to take APGA at TPC Scottsdale title
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Kamaiu Johnson, the longtime APGA Tour star and PGA TOUR Latinoamerica competitor, fired a sizzling, 10-under par 61 to run away from the field for the APGA at TPC Scottsdale victory Tuesday afternoon.
Johnson’s 61 is the lowest score in APGA Tour history and it ties the Champions Course record at the 7,115-yard, par-71 TPC Scottsdale layout.
One of the APGA Tour’s most prominent players, Johnson earned status on PGA TOUR Latinoamerica last year and has competed in eight events since the fall. He broke loose from a four-way tie after the first round in Scottsdale and cruised home to a four-stroke victory. Johnson registered two eagles and four birdies on the back nine, notching his seventh APGA Tour triumph.
“I was just trying to stay in the moment down the stretch. Wasn’t sure where I was but I was comfortable because the other leaders were in my group,” offered Johnson, who pocketed the first-place prize of $7,500 from the $25,000 purse. “Last week, I was 13-over after two days on the Latinoamerica Tour and today, 16-under. I’ve never experienced anything like that. It just shows you what kind of a funny game it is that we play.”
His back-nine eagles were both secured with 10-foot putts. The shot of the day was a 265-yard five-wood on the 605-yard 17th hole. He shot 29 on the back and was a birdie away on the final hole from an elusive 59. In one stretch, he was 17-under over 29 holes and ended up 16-under for the tournament.
The Tallahassee native became a prominent story in 2021 when his PGA TOUR debut at the Farmers Insurance Open was scuttled by a positive COVID-19 test. The golf world rallied in support of Johnson and the APGA Tour and he was invited to three PGA TOUR events in the ensuing months, fulfilling his dream of competing at the highest level.
Johnson’s 65-61-136 was four strokes better than Chase Johnson (no relation, 65-65-130) of West Palm Beach, Florida, and five better than Rovonta Young (65-66-131) of Huntsville, Alabama. Varun Chopra of Champaign, Illinois, finished fourth at 69-64-133. Andrew Walker of Holt, Michigan, who shared the first-round lead with the two Johnsons and Young, took fifth (65-69-134). Kevin Hall, who won last week at PGA Golf Club, claimed sixth place (68-68-136).
Johnson tees off Wednesday morning (May 10) in U.S. Open Qualifying at the Mark Bostic Golf Course at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He is back on the PGA TOUR Latinoamerica for the Colombia Classic presentado por Rocha Brothers at Ruitoque Golf & CC in Bucaramanga, Colombia from May 25-28 followed by the Interrapidisimo Golf Championship presentado por Volvo at El Rincón de Cajicá in Bogata, Columbia June 1-4.
Next up on the APGA Tour is APGA at TPC Deere Run May 28-30 in Silvis, Illinois. with APGA at Valhalla to follow July 23-25 in Louisville, Kentucky.