Long Chips-in to Win Woodcreek Classic

ELGIN, S.C. -- Adam Long, a 2011 Duke graduate, chipped in on the first playoff hole to win the NGA/Hooters Tour Woodcreek Classic. Long shot an eight-under 64 on Sunday to finish with a 23-under, 265 (66-70-65-64) and claim $28,000 in earnings with the victory.

Long, a St. Louis, Mo. native, missed one fairway on Sunday on The Members Club at Woodcreek and WildeWood. But, ironically, it may have paved the way to his first NGA/Hooters Tour victory. After missing the short fairway for the first time on the first playoff hole of the $200,000 event, he left his approach a touch short and faced a 25-foot chip for birdie. Long buried his chip and watched as Stuart Anderson missed his birdie putt before celebrating his first professional victory.

"I had an awkward stance; I had to grip the shaft of the club because the ball was above my feet," Long said of the chip-in. "I hit it to the spot I was aiming, the slope of the green took it and it went in. It's a pretty amazing feeling."

While the chip-in will be remembered the most, Long's previous 18 holes were just as impressive in the victory. He started the final round tied for fifth and three shots behind third-round co-leaders Anderson and Jeff Corr, but he wasted little time trimming the deficit. Long, a 2011 U.S. Open participant, played first seven holes of the day 5-under par and finished the front nine with a 6-under 30.

"After I seven holes, I thought this could be a special day," said Long. "But the fields out here are stacked, so I knew nobody, including myself, was going to run away with it."

Long carded two more birdies on the backside to finish with an 8-under 64 and headed to the clubhouse with the lead at 23-under par. Anderson trailed Long by two shots with two holes remaining, but the reigning Canadian Tour Championship winner posted birdies on the final two holes to force a playoff. Anderson appeared to have the advantage after reaching the green in regulation on the first extra hole, but Long snatched that away with the chip-in that proved to be the difference.

"It was really exciting in the playoff," said Long. "There was a nice crowd out here today. And to be able to chip-in to win my first event, you can't ask for anything better."

With the win, Long, who joined the NGA/Hooters Tour in 2010 after a successful collegiate career at Duke, became the second Blue Devil to win in as many weeks, joining former Duke golfer Ryan Blaum, who won the Kandy Waters Memorial Classic on September 4.

"I got a text from Ryan right after I won," said Long. "Duke's known for the basketball team, so it's good to see them get some recognition for golf."

Anderson's second-place finish was his third of the season and paid $13,734.

Blaum, a three-time All-America at Duke, also had a strong showing in the Woodcreek Classic finishing tied for 13th with a -15, 273 (68-68-72-65). Former Blue Devil Michael Schachner made the cut and finished tied for 28th with an 11-under 277 (71-69-70-67).

Long Chips-in to Win Woodcreek Classic

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