McPhaul Tops Hockaday on 3rd Playoff Hole to Win 4th Brick Capital Classic Title

Staff Report from WFJA Sports

This tournament will not be remembered for the lowest scores in Brick Capital Classic tournament history.   But it may be remembered for one of the best shots at crunch time in the 44-year history – a low cut shot 4-iron from 180 yards off hard pan from the right of the 18^th fairway and just short of the bridge to within 8 feet of the hole – that led to an eagle 3 and Press McPhaul’s 4^th Brick Capital Classic title.   McPhaul’s eagle would win the playoff over Jonathan Hockaday on the 3^rd playoff hole after both finished regulation at 138 (4 under par).  

McPhaul fired a 68 on Saturday to start the day one shot behind Walter Brinker’s 67 but immediately fell back to -1 for the tournament after bogeys at #2 and #6.    But McPhaul recovered with birdies at #8 & #9 to grab a share of the lead at -3 with Hockaday and the two stayed close the rest of the way.   McPhaul parred every hole on the back nine until making a 10-footer for birdie at the tough 17^th to go -4 for the tournament.   A par at the 18^th would finish off a 70 for McPhaul and into the playoff at 138.

Hockaday, who won the Quail Ridge Classic last fall, started 3 shots off Brinker’s lead and 2 behind the 68s of McPhaul, Courtney Stiles and Alex Palme. Hockaday moved within two of the lead after pars at the first 6 holes.  Hockaday’s tee shot at the 7^th ran through the fairway and led to a bogey 5 – but things were about to change in a big way.   After a par at #8, Hockaday rolled in 20-footers at the 9^th for eagle and one at #10 for birdie and suddenly Hockaday led the tournament at -3.   McPhaul’s birdie at the 9^th soon after tied the two at 3-under and their battle was on.  Hockaday would play 4-under his final 10 holes and finish with the low round of the day – a 68 to post a 138 total.

Brinker held the led at 3-under until a double at the 8^th kept Brinker chasing the rest of the day.   Brinker would eventually finish at 74 and 141 for the tournament and 4^th place.

Stiles, the first women to qualify for the Championship Flight in 38 years after an opening 68, had three front nine bogeys and was chasing on the back nine as well.   A strong finish by Stiles carded an even par 71 and a 3^rd place finish in the event. Stiles’ 3-under 68 on Saturday was a red tee women’s scoring record and the even par 71 on Sunday set a new Women’s Championship Tees tournament record at Sanford Golf Club.

But the back nine belonged to McPhaul and Hockaday.  The two remained tied thru the 15^th with all pars before Hockaday birdied the 16^th to move ahead by one at 4-under.   McPhaul missed his opportunity to draw even at the 16^th, but birdied the difficult 17^th instead and the two were knotted at 4-under par.   Both missed birdie opportunities at the 18^th in regulation – Hockaday from 3 feet and McPhaul from 12 feet – and the playoff was set.

Both players made par on the first playoff hole, with both missing birdies from 8-10 feet.   Two pars were made at the 2^nd, with Hockaday making a 5-footer for par to stay alive.    That led to the 18^th tee and the 3^rd playoff hole where McPhaul would hit the winning shot.

McPhaul becomes the 3^rd player to win a fourth Brick Capital Classic title – joining David Wicker and Gerald Harrington.   McPhaul, the Men’s Golf Coach at NC State, won the Brick previously in 1997, 2005, and 2008. McPhaul was somewhat emotional when asked about his 4th title. “I love this place. It is a special place to me. I love this tournament. Jonathan played so well down the stretch and I know I’m very fortunate to win.”

McPhaul and Hockaday’s rounds over the weekend showed a lot of similarities. McPhaul had 3 bogeys and 7 birdies over the weekend while Hockaday carded only 3 bogeys to go along with 5 birdies and an eagle. Hockaday, who finished in the top 5 for the 4th time, knew he had missed a golden opportunity to win his first Brick Capital title. “I am pleased with the way I hit the ball this weekend. I know I had a great opportunity today but just didn’t get it done.”

Ray Epley won his 2^nd Brick Capital Classic Senior title with a 70-74 finish to win by seven shots.

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2020 Brick Capital Classic Scores

Championship Flight

Press McPhaul….68-70-138*

Jonathan Hockaday….70-68-138

Courtney Stiles….68-71-139

Walter Brinker….67-74-141

Gerald Harrington….73-69-142

Craig Sturdivant….72-72-144

Tony Fish….73-75-148

Alex Palme….68-80-148

Jody Yarbrough….72-76-148

Austin Stout….72-77-149

Simon Cagle….72-77-149

Bo Crooks….72-78-150

Jack Radley….73-77-150

Jim Love….73-81-154

*Won on 3^rd playoff hole

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1^st Flight

Nathan Presnal….74-73-147

Matthew Honeycutt….74-73-147

David Wicker….74-73-147

Kenny Stewart….75-72-147

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2^nd Flight

Jimmy Kerns….79-71-150

Jordan Pomeranz….81-70-151

Keith Thomas….77-75-152

Kyle Wicker….79-75-154

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3^rd Flight

Wayne Freeman Jr….81-79-160

Will Smith….81-79-160

Johnny Wofford….82-78-160

Joe Delvechio….80-81-161

Justin Jarrett….81-80-161

Jimmy Martin….81-80-161

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4^th Flight

Lacy Tripp….83-75-158

Michael Ogborn….83-75-158

Gordon Brann….84-74-158

Merritt Foushee….84-76-160

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5^th Flight

Craig Tripp….89-80-169

Brandon O’Quinn….93-78-171

Steve Smith….87-87-174

Mike Mullins….87-88-175

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Senior Division

Championship Flight

Ray Epley….70-74-144

David Barbour….78-73-151

Chuck Latham….75-76-151

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1^st Flight

Bill Huggins….83-82-165

Bryan Seal….84-81-165

Phil Lyles….84-83-167

Junior Phillips….84-83-167

Preston Gaster….86-81-167

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2^nd Flight

Rick Walton….88-80-168

Bob Baker….88-86-174

Steve Harrington….91-86-177