Former Florida golfer Tyler McCumber won his first professional tournament on Sunday. After shooting the second-lowest score of any golfer in the final round of the Florida Open Championship in Vero Beach, McCumber finished with a 204 (-12) overall.
He took the lead on Hole 6 and did not give it back for the rest of the day. After a par on Hole 10, McCumber notched four straight birdies.
The streak was enough to fend off contender Nyasha Mauchaza, who finished second. McCumber’s birdie on Hole 14 concluded a stretch of six birdies in nine holes. At one point, he held a five-shot lead over Mauchaza. Mauchaza was not only McCumber’s closest competition on the leaderboard, but also his playing partner during the final round. Mauchaza carded a 206 (-10) for the tournament.
McCumber excelled on the longest holes at the Quail Valley Golf Club, shooting three under in the final round on the club’s four par-5s. Mauchaza was unable to make the most of his par-5s, shooting one over on them during Sunday’s round.
McCumber wasn’t the only Gator in the field. Former UF golfer and Gainesville native Tyler Rucarean also participated in the tournament. He withdrew from the tournament midway through the second round.
Senior Tyler McCumber putts during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 10 at Mark Bostick Golf Course.
