There’s one Monday qualifier, Ryan Gerard, who’s been making headlines at the Honda Classic. The UNC alum shot 69-63 over the first two rounds at PGA National’s Champion course to sit tied for third entering the third round. Suffice to say, Gerard wasn’t sweating it out on Friday as he tried to make his first career cut on the PGA Tour in just his second start.
The same cannot be said for the man who won that Monday qualifier, Trace Crowe. The 26-year-old Auburn alum shot seven-under 65 to earn a spot in the Honda Classic but came to his final hole on Friday sitting at two over, one shot outside the cut line.
Coming off a bogey on the eighth hole—his 17th of the day—Crowe would need a birdie on his final hole to make his first career cut on tour. After finding the rough off the tee on the 416-yard par 4, he came up short and right with his approach, leaving a 51-foot chip. Then this happened: Two hops, a little check, and he was onto the weekend. Check out the video, which was first posted to Crowe’s Instagram story:
Perfect read, perfect speed (and perfect camera angle). What a way to make your first cut on tour. A perfect reaction as well, might we add. A subtle fist pump, knuckles with the caddie, thank you very much.
Crowe is making just his second career tour start this week, with his only other one coming six years ago while he was still in college, when he missed the cut at the 2017 Barbasol Championship. After a solid, if unspectacular, college career in which he was a two-time Second Team All-SEC member, Crowe turned pro in 2020. He earned status on the Korn Ferry Tour last season but recorded just one top 30, ultimately finishing 138th on the points list. He made $38,024.
With his chip-in to play the weekend, Crowe guaranteed himself at least a $15,000 payday. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t in the field a week ago.
