Pak too good, old Sooners fare well, final round unkind to Metzger
Pak too good, old Sooners fare well, final round unkind to Metzger
NORMAN — John Pak, who finished his collegiate golf career at Florida State in 2021, took a major step in his professional career early Sunday evening at the University of Oklahoma’s Jimmie Austin Golf Club.
Pak, who entered the day No. 51 on the Korn Ferry Tour points list, claimed the Compliance Solutions Championship following a final-round 70, good for a four-round total of 23-under-par 265.
Pak, who entered Sunday up seven strokes following opening rounds of 64-66-65, withstood the charge of Jackson Suber, who tied the course record with a 9-under-par 63 and pulled within a stroke of Pak for a few moments.
Those moments ended when Pak carded the second birdie of his round, making a five-foot putt at the 594-yard par 5 12th. Another birdie followed at the next par 5, an up-and-down from 64 yards, pushing Pak’s edge to its final three-stroke margin.
The victory puts $180,000 into Pak’s pocket, but perhaps more importantly lifts him from 51st to ninth on Korn Ferry Tour’s points list. The top 30 on the points list at the end of the season receive full-time playing privileges on the PGA Tour.
“I worked really hard for this and it’s nice to see the results are finally paying off,” Pak said.
The consensus collegiate player of the year following the spring of 2021, Pak did not enjoy the quick professional success many might have presumed he’d find.
Sunday marked his first Korn Ferry victory and his largest professional payout.
A year and a half ago, he said, he had no standing on any tour.
His first two post-victory phone calls went to his girlfriend, who plays the women’s Epson Tour, and his parents. Additionally, he offered profound credit to his sports psychologist, Dr. Gio Valiante, who he began working with 3 1/2 months ago.
“I give a lot of credit to him because I don’t think I’m that much different a golfer than I was last year and two years ago,” Pak said. “But I’m already having a lot more success working with him.”
Suber wound up second at 20-under 268. He was followed by Steven Fisk in third place at 17-under 271.
As for the players with University of Oklahoma and Norman ties, Blaine Hale posted the best finish, firing a final-round 69 to finish at 14-under 274 in a tie for 11th.
Patrick Welch, with a final-round 68, finished at 12-under 276 in a tie for 23rd and Max McGreevy, with a closing 70, finished at 8-under 280 in a tie for 47th.
Logan McAllister, who was one off the lead after an opening 64, finished at that same 8-under number, tied with McGreevy.
Norman High product Andre Metzger, who reached 14-under-par for the tourney after making birdie on the par 4 seventh on Sunday, played the remaining 11 holes of his round in 8-over par, shooting 78 to finish at 6-under 282 in a tie for 57th.