Nate Lashley had it on cruise control all the way at Detroit Golf Club www.detroitgolfclub.org.
The 36-year-old Lashley led virtually from wire-to-wire, closing with a 2-under-par 70 to claim his first PGA Tour victory by six strokes over Doc Redman in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
“It’s just really emotional,” said Lashley, who was the last player to get into the field as third alternate. “I’m just thankful I got into the tournament and now I have a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and get to play in the Masters. To accomplish that is just amazing and I’m really happy.
“To have my family here to share this with me, I can’t ask for more and I’m ready to celebrate with them. The fans were really amazing this week and I can’t thank them enough. To be the last guy in the field and to win the tournament is a great feeling. This is something I’ve always dreamed of.”
Lashley, who became the first alternate to win a PGA Tour event since Vaughn Taylor in the 2016 Pebble Beach Pro-Am and only the third since 2005, recorded a winning score of 25-under 263.
Redman, who earned PGA Tour membership and a spot in the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Ireland, sank a six-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole while shooting 67, while Rory Sabbatini of Slovakia and Wes Roach both finished at 68 to wind up seven shots behind in a tie for third.
Brandt Snedeker totaled 67 to finish eight back in a tie for fifth with Joaquin Niemann of Chile, Brian Stuard and Ted Potter Jr., who all had 68s, plus Patrick Reed, who shot 70, and Cameron Tringale of Laguna Nigel, who had a 71.
Viktor Hovland of Norway, low amateur in the Masters and U.S. Open, closed with a 64 to tie for 13th in his fourth start as a pro, while Rickie Fowler of Murrieta shot 71 to finish in a tie for 46th that included rookie Cameron Champ of Sacramento, who was one stroke out of the lead after two rounds but played the weekend in 75-73.
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