GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Golf season is starting to ramp up and so are the former Gators playing Pro Golf. Florida had three golfers apiece complete in the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the Astra Golf Championship.
PGA Golfers
The Gators had three golfers representing the Orange and Blue in Phoenix;
Tyson Alexander (T-53),
Billy Horschel (T-41) and
Camilo Villegas (CUT).
The longest tenured tour member in the group, Horschel shot six under including a bogey free round two where he shot a 67. Horschel wasn't done there, shooting five under in round three, including an Eagle on hole 15, to move to T-10 after day three. Fighting for a top-10 finish, Horschel shot two over in the final round after a four-bogey front nine to end T-41.
Alexander also had a strong tournament finishing a season high T-53. Alexander's best round of the Waste Management came on the second day, shooting three under for a 68.
Villegas put up a strong round one, characterized by a bogey-free front nine. The 18-year PGA Tour Member missed the cut by a shot.
Korn Ferry Golfers
The Gators also had three golfers compete in the Astra Golf Championship;
Fred Biondi (T-41),
Ricky Castillo (7th) and
T.J. Vogel (T-51).
Both 2023 National Champions made the Cut in Columbia, with Castillo having his second-best finish on the season (seventh). The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open Champion shot six under in both round one and four, propelling him to the top 10 finish. Castillo's 65 in round four was the second-best finish of the day.
Biondi had a great round one shooting a 65 which included seven birdies. Biondi's knack for birdies continued throughout he tournament tying for the second most birdies made with 35.
Whats Next
The PGA will be in California next weekend for the Genesis Invitational. There will not be a former Gator playing in that tournament.
The Korn Ferry Tour is off next weekend, but will be back Feb. 29 in Buenos Aries for the 117 Visa Argentina Open.
In current Gators news, Florida is set to host the Gators Invitational at Mark Bostick Golf Course starting on Friday at 7:50 a.m.
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