YOUNG PLAYERS

Hayden Buckley

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All it takes on the Korn Ferry Tour is one opportunity, and Buckley Illustrated this point at the LECOM Suncoast Classic in February, the Tour’s return to competition after a four-month winter break of sorts. This Missouri Tiger hung around early-week in west Florida as an alternative, and he arrived at Lakewood National GC on Thursday morning unsure of whether he would have a tee time. He warmed up in the dark, then learned Brandon Hagy had withdrawn. Buckley took Hagy’s spot and then proceeded to win the tournament, earning full status and moving to within striking distance of The 25. The Mississippi native thrives with a chip on his shoulder—he was lightly recruited out of high school and arrived at Missouri on a 2 percent scholarship—and his game continues to ascend.

Alternate Hayden Buckley didn’t know if he would get into the LECOM Suncoast Classic in February. He not only got in, he won, earning full KFT status and moving within striking distance of The 25. W W W.P GAT OUR.COM

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