Rhein Gibson will return to the US PGA Tour in 2020 a more accomplished and well-rounded player after breaking through for his maiden win on the Web.com Tour at a rain-shortened BMW Charity Pro-Am in South Carolina.
Persistent rain meant that Sunday’s third round would be the tournament’s final one, Gibson coming from two strokes behind to win by three courtesy of a bogey-free round of eight-under 63 to record the most significant win of his professional career.
Breakthrough. 🏆
In his 105th #WebTour start, @RheinGibson55 secures his first title @BMWCharityProAm. #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/4J3liNCccG
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) June 9, 2019
A professional since 2010, prior to this week Gibson’s main claim to fame was the 16-under 55 he shot at River Oaks Golf Club in Oklahoma in 2012 that earned him a place in the Guinness World Records.
In 170 prior events that attract Official World Golf Ranking points, Gibson had never broken through for a win of significance, two top-five finishes in 2015 on the Web.com Tour earning promotion to the PGA Tour the next year.
With three top-10 finishes already this season, Gibson’s win will almost certainly secure a return to golf’s richest tour, rocketing into seventh position on the moneylist and with one hand on one of the 25 tour cards that will be handed out at the end of the regular season.
“I’ve definitely put myself in some opportunities before to win, but it just didn’t go my way on Sunday,” Gibson said.
“It was good to get in the hunt again and actually close it out with a bogey-free round. If someone shot nine [under] and beat me, I’d still be pretty happy with eight [under].”
The 33-year-old hailing from Lismore in northern New South Wales finished 199th in the FedEx Cup in 2016 to lose his status and hopes to use this win to start forging an identity beyond his extraordinary round of seven years ago.
“That [the 55] was very sweet, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t want to be known just for the 55,” Gibson said. “It was good to validate that with a good win today, and especially on television. I know what I’ve been doing is correct and I’m glad to see it pay off.”
In 20 starts on the PGA Tour in 2016, Gibson made 11 cuts with a best finish of a tie for 25th at the Barracuda Championship. But he believes he is much better equipped to make more of an impression next year.
“That’s awesome,” Gibson said when told his win would secure a PGA Tour return. “I think I’m a more well-rounded player all round. I didn’t get many opportunities the year that I did have my card but really looking forward to getting back out there.
“I kind of know what to expect now and ready for round two.”
