WA’s Karl Vilips has underscored his potential by winning the Korn Ferry Tour’s Utah Championship in just his sixth start as a pro.
Vilips, 22, shot 67-62-64-66 for a -25 total to win by two shots in Farmington, Utah, and pick up a winner’s cheque of $US180,000. This followed on from a runner-up finish in last week’s Korn Ferry event in Chicago and has seen Vilips fly up to 15th in the tour standings.
With the top 30 finishers on the Korn Ferry Tour’s Order of Merit earning PGA Tour status for the following year, Vilips is now within touching distance of the big time.
Vilips was a child prodigy in Perth, winning the United States Kids Championship aged just nine before moving to the United States as a high schooler. He graduated from Stanford University earlier this year having signed off his collegiate career with a win in the prestigious Pac-12 Men’s Championship.
He turned pro in June and took just six pro events on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour of Americas to bag a landmark victory.
“I just leant on all the moments in the past where I’ve been in contention,” said Vilips following his win in Utah. “I’ve had a few of those recently, and just tried to stay confident and committed and trust the swing. I was happy to see that.”
Having his father, Paul, present to witness the win made the moment even sweeter, Vilips added. “Him being here, seeing all the ups and downs and to celebrate the success of today is something special,” he said.
View the Korn Ferry Tour Points List here.
Karl with proud dad Paul at the Utah Championship
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