JUPITER, Fla. – Cole Willcox of Malvern, PA, was on "59 watch" at one point in the round Tuesday at Abacoa Golf Club during his first win on the Minor League Golf Tour. Willcox started on the 10th hole, going out in 5-under par 31. He then went birdie, eagle, birdie on 1, 2 and 3 to get to -9 through 13 holes. He birdied the par-5 sixth hole to get to -10 through 15 and give himself a realistic chance at shooting 59. He dropped one shot over the final three holes but still managed an impressive 9-under par 63, good for a four shot margin of victory.
Tied for second at 67 among 66 starters were Justin Hicks of Grosse Isle, MI, eight birdies and three bogeys; Max Gilbert of St-Georges, Quebec, seven birdies and two bogeys; and Chris Wiatr, Woodbury, CT, six birdies and one bogey.
Willcox earned $1,100 from the $8,385 purse. Hicks, Gilbert and Wiatr received $658.34 apiece from the main purse. Hicks and Wiatr each collected an additional $215.50 from an optional bonus pool to total $873.34.
Willcox leads the optional 3-day cumulative bonus pool with one day to go. The final 1-day event that will count towards the cumulative bonus pool leaderboard is Thursday at Eagle Trace.