Friends, it seems our favorite golf Instagram star Luke Kwon has struck victory once again. While the result may not shock any of his loyal followers, Kwon's clutch playoff performance at the inaugural PGA Tour Creator Classic was truly something to behold.
The event went down over the back nine at East Lake, the same spot as the Tour Championship. In the mix we had the Bryan Bros, all the Good Good members Garrett Clark, Brad Dalke, and Sean Walsh holding it down, and even Paige Spiranac teeing it up.
From what I hear, the energy out there was buzzin' with all the creators competing. And it seems like our main man Luke just continues to deliver under pressure. To sneak into the playoff and then sink the winner - dude is ice cold!
The putt that won The Creator Classic for @LKwonGolf 🏆
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 29, 2024
(Presented by @CocaCola) pic.twitter.com/pPVKGrKQTL
So they split the creators into four groups of four and had them battle it out over eight holes. Straight stroke play to see who could poke the lowest scores.
The top four from those rounds would automatically move on to a one-hole playoff showdown. So the pressure was really on for all these dudes to stay locked in and progress to the main event.
First up we had the Bryan bros going shot for shot, then Tyler Toney and Gabby "GG" DeGasperis taking on the restored course.
From what I heard, they all managed steady beginnings. But it was Garrett Clark, playing with the second group, who struck first blood with an early birdie on hole 10!
So apparently our early lead Garrett Clark couldn't keep the hot hand going, dropping back in the group scores. And that's when Wesley Bryan pounced - draining his first birdie on 12 to take a one shot lead!
Birdie on No. 1 for @GM__Golf 👏
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 28, 2024
He leads the Creator Classic. pic.twitter.com/wVT9F73TiG
Then on the par 5 13th, Wesley had an eagle look to reach three under. His second shot set up a long 35 footer, which looked dead center for a second. But it just missed, leaving the easy tap in bird and two shots up.
Right on Wesley's heels, Gabby "GG" DeGasperis had an eagle look of her own on that hole. But just like Bryan, she settled for birdie as well. Keeping that pressure on!
Oof, just got the update on how Tyler Toney's day was going - and let's just say it was rough out there.
Word is he was already five over through five holes thanks to struggles with the rough! He must've been hacking it out of there all morning. No surprises he ended up at the very bottom at a tough 10-over.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the course, my man LK was stealthily moving up. He drained back to back birds to pull within two of the lead back on 12. Always dependable to keep things close!
And in another clutch moment, Aimee Cho drained a gorgeous chip in on 13 to tie Roger Steele for one under. These influencers were really bringing their A-game under pressure.
Buckets!
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 28, 2024
@GolfWithAimee chips in for birdie at The Creator Classic 💪 pic.twitter.com/X8sJGsYEFt
So Steele had a chance to tie Bryan's lead on 13, but his birdie bid just slipped out. No worries though, because Sean Walsh drained his own birdie right after to join Steele and Cho at one under.
Then Brad Dalke stroked one in on 14 to also tie that group. But on the island green 15th, Dalke's birdie try drifted just right, keeping him one back of Bryan.
That man Wesley almost went to four under himself on 17's par 5 with an incredible second shot! It just missed finding an eagle by a hair. He ended up tapping in to finish stroke play at two under, comfortably in the playoff spots.
And somewhere in the mix, Micah Morris was also getting in on the action with a 14th hole bird.
Petey Finch was looking primed for the playoff, sitting pretty at one under. He stroked a crucial par save on 15 to keep those hopes alive too.
But then Steele just had to go and steal the show didn't he?! Sinking a pure 55 footer for birdie on 16, what an absolutely insane shot under pressure. No choice but to give the man his props!
For birdie from 55 FEET!
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 28, 2024
@RogerSteeleJr drains it to tie the lead at The Creator Classic 💪 pic.twitter.com/MEoAA4Y5f3
Meanwhile, you already know my guy LK was creeping up the board methodically. Three birds in five holes dragged him right within reach at one under as well.
Sadly it seems the drama got to Peter Finch - he bogeyed 16 to fall back to even. And Steele joined him there with a closing bogey of his own.
As the final group prepared for 17, the final four playoff spots were locked in - Bryan, Steele, Walsh, and my guy LK.
But the best part? Luke boy was only one of them yet to wrap up his round. And he finds himself staring down a nine footer for par! You know the pressure had to be intensified.
But like the cold-blooded assassin he is, LK stroked it to push into the playoff. What a freakin way to seal your spot, hands down the most dramatic moment of the day if you ask me.
So they take it to the tenth fairway for the one-hole showdown. And shocker, Bryan's tee shot finds the fairway there instead of 18. Walsh and Kwon follow suit while Steele decides to go for 18 instead.
Steele played it smart from the rough, avoiding trouble by keeping it away from the gnarly new lake. Meanwhile the rest were back on 18's green hunting for the W.
But oh man, talk about playoff pressure. Steeler agonizingly rolled back off the green with his third! That had to sting.
Read more: Luke Donald Shares Drill for Improving Putting Accuracy
Bryan was left a long birdie look, Walsh with a similar putt, while my guy LK found himself just six feet out.
Steele chickened in for his clutch par, but alas it wasn't enough. And Walsh's birdie try came up just short too, leaving both to tap in for pars.
Bryan also missed his birdie effort, meaning it was all down to LK. And in true assassin fashion, he stroked the winner to claim the INAUGURAL Creator Classic title!
Does this mean we should start calling him the "King of the Influencers"? You bet. With skills like these, I wouldn't be surprised if Luke earns his PGA Tour card sooner than we think. For now, he'll have to settle for Creator Classic champion. Another crowning achievement for the unbothered social star - we can't wait to see what he has in store for us next.
Creator Classic Final Leaderboard
1 .Wesley Bryan -2
T2. Roger Steele -1
T2. Sean Walsh -1
T2. Luke Kwon -1 (winner of playoff)
T5. Brad Dalke - E
T5. Micah Morris - E
T5. Peter Finch - E
8. George Bryan +1
9. Paige Spiranac +2
10. Gabby DeGasperis +3
T11. Mason Nutt +4
T11. Aimee Cho +4
13. Fat Perez +5
14. Garrett Clark +6
15. Mac Boucher +7
16. Tyler Toney +10