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Kohles Victorious in First Pro Start
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July 29, 2012
Columbus, Ohio – Former Virginia men’s golfer Ben Kohles won the Web.com Tour’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational in his first professional start. Kohles beat Luke Guthrie with a birdie on the first playoff hole to take home the event’s first-place prize of $144,000.
Kohles closed with a 1-under 70 to match Guthrie at 12-under 272 on Ohio State’s Scarlet Course. Guthrie birdied three of the final five holes in regulation for a 66.
Kohles was one of 12 players invited to the event by virtue of earning All-America honors as a collegiate. Kohles turned pro after finishing his amateur career last week in the Porter Cup.
Kohles made a 22-foot birdie put on the playoff hole to claim the championship. He also made a birdie putt on his final regulation hole to get into the playoff. He shot 1-under 70 during Sunday’s final round.
It was Kohles’ second victory this month. On July 1 he placed first at the Dogwood Invitational, an amateur event held in Atlanta.
This year Kohles was named a second-team PING All-American by the Golf Coaches Association of America. During his career Kohles received six All-America honors. He was the ACC Player of the Year as a sophomore and junior.