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Tommi Avant sank a dramatic 47-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win the 68th Southwest PGA Championship/PPC at Moon Valley Country Club in Phoenix. Avant’s three-round total of 204 (-6) gave him a two-shot victory over runners-up Charlie Beljan, Marty Jertson, and Jesse Mueller.
“After finishing runner-up last year, I just knew I had to hang in there,” said Avant. “It didn’t go my way then, but this year I was having fun, staying loose – and I got a little lucky on that final putt. To win the Section Championship and be listed among all those past champions is surreal. Earning the WM Phoenix Open exemption and the PPC spot – you really can’t write a better story. I’m so excited to represent the Southwest PGA. Now it’s time to get to work!”
A PGA Assistant Professional at Lone Tree Golf Club in Chandler, Ariz., Avant opened the 54-hole event with a 2-under 68, followed by a 67 in Round 2. He began the final round three shots behind Marty Jertson, PGA Vice President of Fitting & Performance at PING Golf, who had led through the first two rounds.
Playing in the final group alongside Jertson and Mueller, PGA General Manager at Grand Canyon University Golf Course, Avant carded a closing 69 – outpacing Jertson’s 74 and Mueller’s 72 to seal the win.
The victory marks Avant’s first Section Championship title and earns him an invitation to the 2026 PGA Professional National Championship, set for April 26-29 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon and Pacific Dunes courses). He also receives an exemption into the 2026 WM Phoenix Open, scheduled for February 5-8 at TPC Scottsdale.
Joining Avant at the 2026 PPC will be: Beljan, from Torreon Golf Club, Jertson, Mueller, Erik Matthewson, from Shadow Creek Golf Club in Las Vegas, Tim Ramos, from TravisMathew and Gerry Norquist, from Whisper Rock Golf Club in Scottsdale.
Norquist achieved an unprecedented feat by qualifying for all three PGA National Championships in a single year: the PGA Professional, Senior PGA Professional, and Assistant PGA Professional Championships – a first in Southwest PGA history.
- Bill Ibrahim
