After leading into the final round, Karl Vilips fired a 64 to win the Puerto Rico Open by three strokes. The Australian was on his game all weekend, shooting all four rounds at or below 67 in just his fourth start on tour.
From rookie to TOUR winner 🏆 pic.twitter.com/at3OHan92t
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 9, 2025
Vilips entered the final round holding a one-stroke lead. He would go out in 31, highlighted by an eagle on hole six. Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Peterson would do his best, shooting the low for the day, 63, to close the gap. Neergaard-Peterson birdied six consecutive holes on the back nine to shoot a 30 on the way in. Nevertheless, the red-hot Aussie was too good, making four birdies himself, to win his first event.
Vilips, having turned pro last year, played in two tournaments this year, making the cut in both of them. He was never in a position to win like today. While in position for his first career PGA Tour victory, Vilips was nervous the night before the final round thinking about the rewards of a victory.
“Last night, that was about the only thing on my mind. Was everything that comes with a victory here, had a hard time getting to sleep, but then on the course it was just staying in the present, doing what I can do,” he said.
The rewards Vilips was envisioning include status on tour through the end of the 2027 season along with $720,000 and 300 FedEx Cup points. He also gets to participate in the Players next weekend and the PGA Championship later this year.
The PGA Tour will be in action again next week, with one of the biggest tournaments of the year. The Players kicks off on Thursday with Vilips in the field.
