Jesse Droemer reacts to a missed putt during the final round of the PGA Professional Championship.
Ryan Lochhead, PGA of America
BANDON, OREGON | Last week at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Jesse Droemer, a golf instructor from Riverbend Country Club in Texas, conquered the gusting winds, the cold temperatures and a 312-player field consisting of the top PGA of America professionals to win the 58th PGA Professional Championship. After finishing runner-up to Tyler Collet in 2025, it was finally Droemer’s turn to hoist the Walter Hagen Cup in his fifth appearance.
“I knew it was going to be windy,” Droemer said of Wednesday’s final round. “I knew the conditions were going to be tough, and I just really was trying to embrace the elements. I’m glad it was windy. I’m glad it was playing hard, but yesterday was probably tougher.”
Droemer shot 4-under (70-69-74-70) and finished one stroke ahead of Ben Kern. As champion, Droemer will join the 20-man Corebridge Financial Team and play in next week’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania. It will be his third PGA Championship appearance, following his starts in 2023 and 2025. Despite long odds, Droemer will enter the major championship with confidence.
“I’m not trying to just enjoy it,” Droemer said. “I’m trying to go out and win a golf tournament. I said it last year: I’ve never played a tournament to try to lose.”
Droemer was one of only nine players in the field to shoot under par in each of his first two rounds. He was 2-under par on both Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes to comfortably make the 36-hole cut at 4-under.
With the wind bending the flagsticks during the third round at Bandon Dunes, Droemer fought to a 74 and stood 2-under for the tournament. Headed into the final round, he was one stroke behind leaders Austin Hurt and Charlie Beljan.
“I enjoy helping people play better golf [more] than [being] out here for myself. It’s more gratifying to help people enjoy the game.”
Jesse Droemer
Playing in the second-to-last group with the wind once again gusting more than 20 mph during the final round, Droemer opened with five straight pars before a bogey on the sixth. But birdies on the seventh and ninth holes moved him one stroke behind leader Derek Berg, who was in his group.
On the 10th hole, Droemer drained a 40-foot birdie putt and Berg made his first bogey of the day. Suddenly, Droemer had the lead at 4-under. Berg followed the bogey by going 3-over par on his next two holes, essentially taking himself out of contention.
On the par-5 13th hole, Droemer hit a gorgeous second shot close to the hole. While he missed his eagle putt, the tap-in birdie moved him to 5-under and gave him a three-stroke lead.
But Kern, in the final group, made a charge. Back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14 and a Droemer bogey on 15 meant both players were tied for the lead with just a few holes to play. While Droemer parred the last three holes, Kern’s poor approach on 17 led to a bogey and proved to be the difference.
Droemer has been a golf professional since 2014, and he truly enjoys teaching.
“I think my gift is my eye looking at a golf swing,” Droemer said. “I’ve been giving golf lessons since I was 17 and I enjoy helping people play better golf [more] than [being] out here for myself. It’s more gratifying to help people enjoy the game.”
The top 20 finishers qualified for the PGA Championship. Joining Droemer in the field at Aronomink will be Kern, Michael Kartrude, Collet, Zach Haynes, Garrett Sapp, Hurt, Braden Shattuck, Mark Geddes, Ben Polland, Michael Block, Bryce Fisher, Ryan Lenahan, Jared Jones, Francisco Bide, Chris Gabriele, Berg, Ryan Vermeer, Paul McClure and Timothy Wiseman. Jeff Kellen will be the alternate.
RESULTS
Everett Munez
