Mission Hills ? Kansas University men’s golfer Chase Hanna shot a 1-under 69 to edge Tom Watson by a stroke to win the Watson Challenge on Sunday at Mission Hills Country Club.
“You know, I was confident all day,” Hanna said of his final round. “I was swinging it really well. I struggled with my ball-striking on the first day. Today, I really struck everything well.”
The Watson Challenge gathers the best golfers in the Kansas City area to determine the title “Best Golfer in the Greater Kansas City Golf Community,” according to the Kansas City Golf Association website. Watson has won six of the nine events bearing his name. Hanna tied for ninth in the 2014 Watson Challenge at Loch Lloyd Country Club in only other time he has competed in the tourney.
“This tournament is designed to see who is the best player in Kansas City, amateur or pro alike,” Watson said of the 47-golfer field, which included 23 amateurs, including Hanna. “This year, the best player here was an amateur.”
Watson and Hanna entered Sunday’s third and final round in a three-way tie with Michael Letzig.
“I would say this is the biggest win,” Hanna said. “Beating Mr. Watson and Michael Letzig, too. Mr. Watson made a cut on the tour this year, so I feel I beat a still, great player. I’m just thrilled with how it ended up.”