Cameron Young etched his name into PGA Tour history with a commanding performance at the Wyndham Championship, securing his long-awaited first career victory at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina. The 28-year-old New Yorker, known for his prodigious talent and a string of near-misses, dominated the field to win by six strokes, finishing at 22-under 258 and matching the tournament scoring record. This triumph marked Young as the 1,000th unique winner in PGA Tour history, a milestone that underscores both his persistence and the event’s significance as the final stop of the 2025 regular season.
A Dominant Performance
Young’s path to victory was a masterclass in consistency and resilience. He seized control early with blistering rounds of 63 and 62, establishing a commanding lead. Despite a bogey on the first hole of the final round, which briefly trimmed his advantage to four shots, Young responded with a remarkable stretch of five consecutive birdies from holes 2 through 6. This surge quashed any hopes of a comeback from the field, allowing him to cruise to a final-round 2-under 68. His nearest competitors—Mac Meissner (solo second at -16), Mark Hubbard, and Alex Noren (tied for third at -15)—couldn’t close the gap, as Young’s lead peaked at nine shots during the final round.
Young’s performance was powered by elite driving and a red-hot putter. He ranked second in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and first in Strokes Gained: Putting, a lethal combination on Sedgefield’s fast greens. A key equipment change also played a role: Young switched to a Titleist Pro V1x prototype golf ball, which helped him manage his high-spin game, contributing to his stellar play. “I think it definitely contributed to some of the good play this week,” Young said of the new ball, expressing excitement for the upcoming FedExCup Playoffs.
Overcoming the Runner-Up Curse
The victory was particularly sweet for Young, who had endured seven runner-up finishes since his 2022 Rookie of the Year campaign—the most by any player without a win since 1983. Those near-misses, including a second-place finish at the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews, had weighed heavily on him. “There was a time when the runner-up finishes wore on me,” Young admitted post-round. Yet, his mental toughness shone through, as noted by friend and fellow pro Will Zalatoris, who texted a local sportswriter, calling Young’s performance a “statement to his mental toughness.”
Young’s breakthrough wasn’t just a personal milestone; it carried extra weight as he hails from nearby Wake Forest University, where he played college golf. The support from his alma mater was palpable, with Wake Forest golf coach Jerry Haas and his father, David, a retired club pro, in the gallery. Webb Simpson, another Wake Forest alum and the tournament’s leading money winner, praised Young’s potential: “I think he has a very high ceiling. He’s long. Now he’s 10th in putting this year.”
A Boost for the Ryder Cup and Playoffs
Young’s win propelled him to No. 15 in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings, bolstering his case for a captain’s pick at the upcoming matches at Bethpage Black, just 90 minutes from his hometown of Scarborough, New York. Simpson highlighted Young’s fit for the course, noting, “He certainly has the right game for that golf course.” With two tournaments remaining before the Ryder Cup, Young’s dominant performance makes him a strong contender for Keegan Bradley’s team.
The victory also secured Young’s spot in the FedExCup Playoffs, starting with the FedEx St. Jude Championship. His performance moved him to 40th in the FedExCup standings, ensuring a strong position heading into the postseason. Meanwhile, the Wyndham Championship determined the top 70 players advancing to the playoffs, with Chris Kirk’s tie for fifth earning him the final spot, while Byeong Hun An fell out after missing the cut.
A Celebration at Sleepy Hollow
Back at Sleepy Hollow Country Club, where Young learned the game under his father’s guidance, the celebration was in full swing. The club’s Pool Pavilion Bar offered $3 drinks for every birdie Young made, with free drinks promised for an eagle and an open bar for an hour if he won. While Young didn’t make an eagle, his six-stroke victory ensured the bar was lively. “I’ve been waiting for it for a while,” Young said, his voice steady despite tears welling in his eyes. “I never thought I’d be that emotional about it.”
