McDaniel Captures Governor’s Open for First Pro Win

FRANKFORT, Ky. – After making his professional debut this summer in the local PGA Barbasol event, former Kentucky men’s golfer Chip McDaniel won his first professional tournament in nearby Frankfort, Kentucky, at the Governor’s Open at Juniper Hill Golf Course on Sunday.
 
McDaniel shot 9-under par to win the event by one stroke, his first professional win. He had rounds of 67 and a final-day 64 in the victory.
 
“It was a good, all-around round,” McDaniel said following the event according to The State Journal. “I hit my driver really well, and that’s something I worked on in the last couple of weeks.”
 
McDaniel will play in additional events as the summer schedule tappers off before beginning qualifying school later this fall.  
 
The Manchester, Kentucky, native made the cut at the Barbasol in July in his pro debut behind a 6-under-par 66, on the second day of play. He finished the tournament tied for 60th at 1-under par.
 
McDaniel played 133 collegiate rounds with a 72.00 stroke average. His senior season was highlighted by a victory at the Bearcat Invitational where he fired a career-low 54-hole total of 201. That marked the second-lowest score in the Brian Craig era. He matched that total at the Gary Koch Invitational where he helped UK win its fourth event of the season in a runner-up individual finish.

He helped lead the Wildcats to an NCAA Championship appearance twice during this tenure, including a Regional appearance in each of the last three seasons.
 
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s golf team, follow @UKMensGolf on Twitter and on the web at UKathletics.com.