–Gordon Seay photo
Michael Herrera of Moreno Valley and San Jose State captured the Advocates Professional Golf Association’s Farmer’s Insurance Invitational by one stroke over John-Baptiste Hakizimana of Hobe Sound, Fla., and Kamiau Johnson of Oviedo, Fla., at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla.
The 25-year-old Herrera shot even-par 72 on the North Course in the first round and two-over 74 in round two on the South Course to wind up with a winning score of two-over-par 146.
“It meant so much to have my family here cheering me on down the stretch, the Farmers Insurance Open was the first PGA Tour event I ever came out to watch and so to win here at Torrey Pines is so special,” said Hererra who also won the 2021 APGA Tour Championship at TPC Scottsdale and the 202 APGA Tour Championship at The Crossings at Carlsbad.
“When I made birdie on No. 14 and saw I had a two-stroke lead, I knew I had a little cushion, but it’s a tough golf course so I knew anything could happen. But I was able to get it to the house and made a solid par on 18 to close it out.
“Farmers Insurance has been such an amazing supporter of the APGA Tour. They have done so many positive things for all of us out here, so it’s truly a blessing to win here.”
Hakizimana posted a score of 75-72—147 to tie for second with Johnson, who also finished at 75-72—147, while Gabe Lynch of Lake Mary, Fla., was fourth at 70-78—148, followed by Chase Johnson of West Palm Beach, Fla., at 70-79—149.
Quinn Riley of Raleigh, N.J., totaled 73-78—151 to tie for sixth with Jarred Garcia of Jacksonville, Fla., who wound up at 74-77—151, while Wyatt Worthington of Reynoldsberg, Ohio, was eighth at 79-73—152.
Ryan Ellerbrock of San Diego shot 78-75—153 to tie for ninth with Aaron Beverly of Roseville, who came in at 76-77—153.
This marks the fifth staging of the Farmers Insurance Invitational, which takes place in conjunction with the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. For the past several years, Farmers has also provided an APGA Tour player with an exemption into the Farmers Insurance Open, with Marcus Byrd receiving a spot in the field in 2024.
For complete results, visit: https://www.apgatour.org/apga-farmers-invitational
