Kyle Thompson Clinches Web.com Tour Victory in Rex Hospital Open at TPC Wakefield Plantation
Thompson elated about third Rex Hospital Open win since 2007
RALEIGH, N.C. – Kyle Thompson, from Greenville, S.C., won this year’s Rex Hospital Open by one stroke, following an exciting three-man playoff between Thompson, Patton Kizzire and Miguel Carballo. Fans at TPC Wakefield Plantation's 18th hole watched Sunday as he accepted his third Open winner's trophy. Thompson is the first player in Web.com Tour history to win the same event three times, having previously won the Rex Hospital Open in 2007 and 2011.
“It’s very emotional. I can’t even put into words what it means to win this golf tournament,” Thompson said. “I kept my head down and kept doing the best I could. I had total belief that I was going to win this tournament, but I don’t know where that came from.”
Thompson, Kizzire and Carballo each shot 17-under in the fourth round of regulation play, forcing the three-way, sudden-death playoff. Thompson ultimately won the tournament on the second hole of the playoff when he sank a four-foot putt for a birdie.
Thompson’s putt was dead-center and worth $112,500, which propelled the 36-year-old father of two from nowhere to No. 15 on the Web.com Tour money list. Kizzire, from Alabama, and Carballo, from Argentina, tied for second after shooting par on the final hole of the playoff.
According to Thompson, this win couldn’t have come at a better time. “It means I get to keep playing golf for a living. It really does,” he said. “If I miss the cut, I’m looking for a job. Literally, I’m at the end of my rope. Miracles happen.”
“Rex Hospital Open fans were not disappointed this week, with great weather and a thrilling finish on Sunday as Kyle put on a truly outstanding performance,” said Steve Burriss, president of Rex Healthcare. “We are happy for him and look forward to seeing what he will accomplish in his career.”
Sunday capped an eventful week of activities at the Rex Hospital Open, which featured family- and fan-friendly activities throughout the tournament. As part of the tournament’s Service Appreciation Day sponsored by First Citizens, active and former military, police, fire and EMS personnel were granted free admission, along with all Wake County Public School System employees.
The tournament also featured several events during the week, including Family Day at the Open, sponsored by the Carolina Hurricanes, the official Rex Hospital Open Pro-Am, a Night FORE the Troops Pairings Reception benefitting the USO of North Carolina, and First Tee of the Triangle Instructional Clinic.
As the Triangle’s premier charity golf event, the Rex Hospital Open has raised more than $9 million for patients in need since its inception. Funds raised this year will benefit patient assistance programs and services at Rex, and the Rex Cancer Center Angel Fund, which supports oncology patients undergoing treatment.
The Web.com Tour is the path to the PGA Tour. The top 25 earners on the Web.com Tour money list are automatically granted a PGA Tour card the following season. This year, 20 of the top 25 earners played at the Rex Hospital Open.
