- Patriot All-America photo
Auburn University senior Graysen Huff shot a third straight round of par or better Thursday at the Wigwam Golf Club Golf Course, turning in a final-round -3 (67) to win the 2020 Patriot All-America Invitational at -8 overall. Huff’s final score was two shots better than Lincoln Memorial University senior Dan Bradbury, who finished alone in second at -6. View the entire leaderboard here.
“It’s pretty awesome – I don’t really have words for it,” said Huff, the Eagle, Idaho native playing in his second straight Patriot All-America. “This is what we work for, to just give yourself the opportunity. Thankfully the cards fell my way this week.”
Huff found himself down one stroke to Bradbury on the par-4 13th hole, before finding another gear down the stretch. Bradbury would bogey 13 to drop to -5, and Huff would birdie three of his last five holes to take home the F-35 Trophy and authentic Air Force leather flight jacket. In all, 83 of the top amateur players in the world made up this year’s 10th Anniversary Patriot All-America field.
“It’s actually funny, I had the same club in I think on the last five holes,” said Huff. “I hit a lot of really good shots coming in and I think I birdied three of them. It was a little bit of a difference maker and put me just enough ahead to cruise through 18.”
Bradbury entered the final round three shots back of Huff, but quickly made up the deficit with birdies on three of his first four holes. The Yorkshire, England-native improved his score each round at the Wigwam (71-67-66), but ran out of steam in his pursuit of the lead.
“It was the perfect start really – the front nine was kind of getable and I took advantage of the getable holes,” said Bradbury, playing in his first Patriot All-America. “It feels good putting your name up there, but to do it at such a good event like this, it means more this week. So it’s extra special.”
Turk Pettit of Clemson University and Logan McAllister of Oklahoma University finished tied for third at -4, respectively. University of Arizona teammates Christian Banke and Trevor Werbylo, along with San Diego State University’s Puwit Anupansuebsai, finished tied for fifth at -3.
The Patriot All-America honors fallen or severely wounded soldiers in partnership with the Folds of Honor Foundation. The golfers receive a golf bag donated by PING Corporation at the event’s opening ceremony emblazoned with the name and branch of service of a fallen or injured military member whom they shall represent. Participants also receive a card with the soldier’s story so they can be familiar with that soldier. The theme of the tournament made a visible impression on many players.
“It’s a bummer I don’t get to play next year, I’ll just say that,” said Huff just after winning the event. “It’s a special event, a special place and a special atmosphere here.”
“Obviously being from England it’s a little different, but I respect it so much,” said Bradbury. “It is a really cool experience, something totally different to what I’ve ever had before. It’s nice.”
ABOUT THE Patriot All-America
The Wigwam and the Golf Coaches Association
of America (GCAA), in partnership with the
Folds of Honor Foundation present the Patriot All-
America Invitational. It's one of the most unique
events
in all of golf.
84 top collegiate players named to the PING All-
America team in NCAA Division I,II and III, NAIA
and
NJCAA, AJGA, one player from each military
academy
and select international players compete in a 54-
hole
championship.
Each player honors our military by carrying a bag
with
the name, rank and service of a fallen or severely
wounded soldier embroidered on the pocket.
Following
the championship, the bags go to the players’ school
for auction, with proceeds benefiting the Folds of
Honor.
View Complete Tournament Information