TEXAS NATIVE WINS APGA TOUR IN ST.LOUIS

https://cw33.com/sports/texas-native-wins-apga-tour-title-in-st-louis/  

DALLAS (KDAF) — Xavier Bighaus won his first APGA title at the APGA Daugherty Foundation Championship at Glen Echo Country Club in St. Louis. The Melissa, Texas, native delivered a stellar final round, posting just one bogey while carding multiple birdies and pars, to finish at seven-under-206 (70-70-66).Bighaus claimed a $13,500 winner’s check from a $45,000 purse for his victory, which was the fourth tournament of the 2026 APGA season. He also earned 500 points toward the Cisco Cup Series and the APGA’s Jeff Dailey Player of the Year standings.

The sixth-annual APGA Daugherty Foundation Championship marked the first 54-hole event of the 2026 APGA Tour season, featuring an extra third round of competition for the first time. Bighaus, the APGA Tour golfer and tournament winner, expressed his gratitude for his first APGA title. He noted that the win provides him with significant confidence for the future. 

“This win means a lot and gives me a lot of confidence moving forward,” Bighaus said. “I’m so thankful to be playing at this venue with amazing competitors and the people who support us.”

Bighaus, who finished second in the APGA Collegiate Ranks in 2024-25, shared insights into his transition from college to professional golf. He discussed learning to control his emotions on the course.

“I thought when I came out of college, I was a mature golfer and I can say that I wasn’t looking back on it. I’m learning how to control my emotions and understand that the last shot has nothing to do with the next shot,” Bighaus said. He credited the APGA Bridgestone program for its role in bridging the gap between college and professional golf, calling it a “safe feeling” to have a place to play immediately after college. Before his professional career, Bighaus grew up with six younger siblings, participating in basketball, football and track before discovering golf. His uncle won four state national titles and his grandfather also played professional golf. Bighaus captured two district titles and earned All-State honors at Melissa High School and in 2024, he led the Colorado Christian golf team to the university’s first NCAA National Championship.

Willie Mack III, an 18-time APGA Tour winner, held a three-stroke lead over Bighaus heading into Thursday’s final round. The Flint, Mich., native and Orlando, Fla., resident, dropped two shots back after three bogeys in the final five holes during the second round, where he shot even-par 71. Meanwhile, Michigan native, Joe Hooks used a four-under 67, buoyed by four birdies from holes four-12 and an eagle on the par-four fifth hole, to vault 11 spots up the leaderboard following his opening-round 71. The only other golfers under par through 36 holes were Bighaus, Troy Taylor II, David Kim, and Jonathan Nielsen – all square at two-under 140.

Trey Rusthoven, a St. Peters, Mo., resident, Fort Zumwalt East High School alumnus and three-time Missouri High School Class four State Medalist, carded a four-under 67 in round one, placing him third. The second-year APGA player finished with a bogey-free back nine and birdies on Nos. 10, 13 and 16. Rusthoven concluded the tournament four-over-217 (67-75-75).

Eighteen players in the 54-player field made the 36-hole cut at two-over-par 144 after Wednesday’s second round. The APGA Foundation held a youth golf clinic for about 160 kids from St. Louis-area organizations following Tuesday’s first round. These organizations included Access Point, Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis, Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Louis, Glen Echo Country Club, LM39 Foundation and the Ferguson Florissant and Normandy school districts. APGA professionals serving as clinic instructors included Rusthoven, John-Baptiste Hakizimana, Logan Batiste, Mahindra Lutchman, III, Cameron Riley, II, Willy Deus, Rashon Williams and Jordan Bohannon.

The APGA Tour will hold its fifth event of the 2026 season, the APGA at TPC Scottsdale, in Arizona, from June 1-3. The season is scheduled to run through November with 12 tournaments from coast to coast.