Jun 23, 2008 9:52 am US/Eastern
Hebert Wins PGA Professional
LAKE OCONEE, Ga. (AP) ―
Scott Hebert won the PGA Professional National Championship on Sunday at Reynolds Plantation, closing with a 4-under 68 at Great Waters for a one-stroke victory over Sonny Skinner.
The 39-year-old Hebert, a former Ferris State player based at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Michigan, had a 12-under 276 total to top the 20 qualifiers for the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills in August.
"This means everything to me, and it's the greatest thing that I've ever won," said Hebert, clutching the Walter Hagen Cup.
Hebert earned $75,000 and also received an exemption into the next five PGA Professional National Championships, a spot on the 2009 PGA Cup Team and exemptions into six PGA Tour events over a 12-month period.
Skinner, the 47-year-old PGA director of golf at River Pointe Golf Club in Albany, Ga., shot a 69. Kyle Flinton, 42, a three-time PGA National Assistant Professional champion from Quail Creek in Oklahoma City, had a 72 to finish third at 8 under.
Hebert overcame a three-stroke deficit with birdies on five of his first seven holes on the back nine. He won week after the premature birth of his daughter Susie.
"My daughter wasn't due until July 12," said Hebert, a six-time Michigan Open champion. "But she was doing well when I had left to come here, and her health was never in danger. She just needed time to spend time in the hospital to develop a little more. To be honest, I was surprised how well I hit it, but I was happy to be here."
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