The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The second event on the Korn Ferry Tour and the second in The Bahamas in as many weeks concluded yesterday at the Baha Mar resort.

American Jared Wolfe separated himself from the field on the back nine at The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at Baha Mar and won the event with a final-round 69 (-3). Wolfe finished at -18 to win his first tour title, closing out in strong wind for a four-stroke victory over Brandon Harkins.

Devauughn Robinson, the lone Bahamian competing in the field, failed to make the cut at +4 in qualifying.

Wolfe finished with birdies on three of his last four holes to finish four shots ahead of Harkins in second at -14 and Curtis Thompson third at -13.

"I had a chance for it to go the other way and I just made a lot of 3-4 foot putts which were not easy out here. If those don't go in, it's a different story. But I'm just beyond happy with how I fought and I'm very thankful for the blessing and the opportunity just to be in this position today," he told golfchannel.com.

A winner each of the last three years on PGA Tour Latinoamerica, Wolfe finished at 18-under 270 at Royal Blue Golf Course.

The 31-year-old former Murray State player earned $108,000.

With wind gusting to 30 mph, Wolfe was one of only two players to break 70 in the final round. He bogeyed the par-3 14th hole after hitting into the water, then birdied the par-4 15th and 16th and par-5 18th.

"No argument, it's definitely the biggest win of my career," Wolfe said. "It was so cool to finish the job, especially in style with a birdie at the last. I knew coming into today if I played as well as I know I can, someone would have to do something special to catch me. I turned out to be right on that. I'm just very blessed to be in this position."

Wolfe also birdied three of his last four holes Tuesday to take a one-shot lead over Harkins into the final round. "I feel like PGA Tour Latinoamerica specifically prepares you for the travel," Wolfe said.

"Five of the first six events on this tour are out of the country, so it prepares you well for that. Obviously, being in position to win down there set me up today to finish the job."

Harkins finished with a 72.

Billy Kennerly (67), Curtis Thompson (71) and Nick Hardy (71) tied for third at 13 under.

Hurricane Dorian created catastrophic damage throughout the northern Bahamas, which included the Abaco Club where the event was held the previous three years.

Despite the impact of Hurricane Dorian, the partnership between bd Global Sports, the Baha Mar resort and Ministry of Tourism and Aviation produced an initiative to relocate the Abaco event to Baha Mar's Royal Blue Golf Club.

bdG Sports also announced plans to donate proceeds from the tournament to the relief effort in Abaco, including all ticket revenue generated.

Staff members and volunteers that would normally work The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club have travelled to Baha Mar to assist with the 2020 tournament.

Last week, in another dramatic finish, American Tommy Gainey took first place at The Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Golf Course, Emerald Bay.

Gainey ended the tournament with a trio of birdies on the back nine to finish at -11 and open the Korn Ferry Tour with a title, his first international win in seven years. The Korn Ferry Tour tournament features 132 professionals vying in the year-long series to earn their PGA Tour card.