Tyler Collet Wins PGA Professional Championship by Record 10 Shots

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Tyler Collet dominated the 57th PGA Professional Championship, winning by a record-breaking 10 strokes on Wednesday. The 29-year-old assistant professional at John’s Island Club in Vero Beach shot a 15-under 272 over four rounds at PGA Golf Club.

Collet entered the final round with a commanding seven-shot lead and finished with an even-par 72, securing the largest margin of victory in the tournament’s history, surpassing Matt Dobyns’ previous record of eight strokes set in 2012. His achievement earned him a spot in the upcoming PGA Championship, scheduled for May 15-18 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“My mindset the whole week was not to move backward,” Collet said. He ended the tournament with an 18-foot bogey putt on the final hole. “We had a game plan, and we stuck to it religiously. We didn’t back down. We played the smart, safe shots.”

Thanks to his victory, Collet received $66,700 from the $750,000 purse and gained entry to six PGA Tour events over the next year, along with a slot in the second stage of the Korn Ferry Tour‘s Q-School. “It means a lot to get those six starts plus the major,” he added.

Joining Collet at the PGA Championship from the Corebridge Financial Team are 19 other PGA professionals, including Michael Block, who gained recognition at the 2023 PGA Championship.

Among them is Justin Hicks, a 50-year-old golfer from Wellington, Fla., who qualified for his first PGA Championship after finishing with a score of 2-under 285. “There’s certainly pressure on a day like today,” Hicks said. “It’s really hard to get in the majors.”

The final qualifying spot for the PGA Championship was decided in a tense five-hole playoff. Michael Kartrude, an assistant at The Bear's Club, and veteran Brad Lardon finished the tournament at even-par 287. After several eliminations, Kartrude eventually secured victory, earning the last spot in the PGA Championship.

“Best moment of my golfing life, for sure,” an emotional Kartrude said. “I just hit one of the best shots of my life out of the trees, and I’m playing in my first major.”

Collet’s triumph also signifies a milestone for the South Florida PGA section, which has swept all three PGA of America national tournaments this year.

As Collet prepares for Charlotte, he reflected on his victory: “It was in the back of my mind out there, but I tried my best not to think about it. Now I can’t wait to tee it up.”