SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Ben Silverman, Etienne Papineau and Jeffrey Kang each earned a spot in the WM Phoenix Open via qualifying at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale Monday. Silverman fired a 6-under 66 to lead the way.
But that’s not the best part of the story.
Papineau and Kang were the final two golfers to emerge from a six-player playoff that went 10 holes.
An emotional Kang spoke to the PGA Tour as the sun was setting on an amazing day of Monday golf.
“A lot of mixed emotions,” he said. “I mean, it’s been a long, long time.” Kang then apologized for taking a moment, the emotions clearly overcoming him.
Kang turned pro in 2004 after playing his college golf at USC. He has one professional victory, which came in 2018 on the PGA Tour China. This will be his first PGA Tour event.
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“It’s a dream of mine since I was a kid,” he said.
His first call was to his mom, he said, and then his grandfather.
Surviving a 10-hole playoff to Monday qualify for @WMPhoenixOpen.
Jeffrey Kang was emotional after landing his first-ever TOUR start. pic.twitter.com/lZ5QI1SzBQ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 8, 2022
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