Thomas Detry became the first Belgian to win on the PGA Tour on Sunday by winning the turbulent Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
The 32-year-old Detry finished the fourth and final round with four birdies and a final score of -6 for a total of -24. He finished seven shots clear of Americans Daniel Berger and Michael Kim.
He leaves Jordan Spieth - who is playing his second tournament after wrist surgery in August - and world number 1 Scottie Schaeffler - who is playing his second tournament after a hand injury sustained in the kitchen at Christmas - eight and 15 shots behind respectively.
Pga Tour, results
"It's incredible. It's a dream," said Detry, who had already finished runner-up twice on the PGA Tour in 68 tournaments.
He was close to crowning his success with a hole-in-one on the famous 16th hole, a par-3 completely surrounded by stands where some 20,000 spectators maintain a fairground atmosphere unique in golf. A hole-in-one on the 16th results in a shower of beer over the player and the green.
The Belgian managed to stop his tee shot just 30 centimetres from the hole and easily scored a birdie. "Considering the circumstances, it is one of the best shots of my week and even of my life, without a doubt," said Detry.
The PGA Tour is the governing body of the major professional golf tours in the United States. It is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, a suburb of Jacksonville, Florida. Its official name is written in all capital letters, "PGA TOUR".
The PGA Tour became a separate organization in 1968, when it separated from the PGA of America, which is now primarily an association of golf professionals, such as instructors and club managers. Tournament players first formed their own organization, the Association of Professional Golfers (APG). Later, in 1968, the players abolished the APG and agreed to operate as the PGA "Tournament Players Division", a completely autonomous division of the PGA, under the supervision of a new 10-member Tournament Policy Board.The name was officially changed to the "PGA Tour" in 1975.
In 1981, it had a marketing dispute with the PGA of America and decided to officially change its name. From the end of August of that year, it became the "TPA Tour", which stood for "Tournament Players Association". The dispute was resolved within seven months and the tour's name returned to "PGA Tour" in March 1982.
