The University of Mississippi Athletics
Former Rebel Golfer Kyle Ellis Wins First Pro Title
8/15/2010 | Men's Golf
Aug. 15, 2010
LAGRANGE, Ga. - Former Ole Miss men's golfer and Mississippi native Kyle Ellis outlasted Matt Hendrix on the first playoff hole to win the NGA Hooters Chattahoochee Hospice Classic at Overlook Golf Links here Sunday for his first professional title.
Ellis needed a birdie on 18 to pull even with third round leader, Hendrix. He hit his approach shot to 10 feet and calmly sank the putt to tie Hendrix at 16-under. After Hendrix knocked in a three-foot par putt on the 18th hole, the pair headed back to 18 tee for a sudden death playoff.
On the first playoff hole, both golfers found the fairway with their drives. Hendrix was the first to hit and left his approach short of the hole about 30 feet, while Ellis was aggressive and had his approach roll past the hole and end up in the rough about eight feet behind the hole. Hendrix rolled his birdie putt eight feet by the hole, while Ellis flubbed his chip and left himself about six feet for par. After Hendrix missed his par attempt, Ellis drained his par putt for his first win.
"He (Hendrix) ran his putt by the hole on his first attempt, and after I missed my third shot we both had difficult par saves," said Ellis, who hails from Senatobia. "I had my buddy Scott Tashie help me read the line, and I confidently drained it for the win."
Ellis began the day at 13-under par trailing third round leaders Hendrix and Grant Leaver by two strokes. The former Mississippi state amateur champion couldn't gain any ground early on Sunday, carding five pars and a bogey over his first six holes. He was able to get his round going with back-to-back birdies on holes seven and eight to make the turn at one-under par 34.
While Ellis started slow, Hendrix, a former All-American at Clemson, was at 17-under for the tournament after the first nine holes, with two birdies. He appeared in the driver's seat to capture his first title.
Ellis made another birdie on No. 10 to get to 15-under. He went on to par the next seven holes before the birdie on 18.
"The golf course was playing different today whether it was the rain overnight or the wind direction, and I just wanted to pace myself and make a few birdies here and there and try not to make mistakes that would cost me," said the twenty-six year old Ellis. "I have been playing well all year and just needed a few breaks to go my way. Today, luckily they did with a lengthy birdie on seven and a chip in for birdie on No. 8."
Ellis collected $30,000 for the win and moved up to third on the NGA Hooters Tour Money Standings.
"This win is definitely a confidence booster for me going into the final three events of the season and also going into PGA Tour Q-school in the fall," he said.
"I am very excited for Kyle," said Rebel head coach Ernest Ross. "He has worked hard to reach another great milestone in his young career. As his confidence grows, I know he will get better."
The NGA Hooters Tour will take a week off before swinging back into action August 23-29 in Hawkinsville, Ga., for the ComSouth Classic at Southern Hills Golf Club.
