The opening two events of the new Korn Ferry Tour season each took place in the Bahamas and each featured a first-time winner. The first was last week’s crowning of 19-year-old champion Akshay Bhatia. The second? A win 12 years in the making.
Brandon Harkins turned professional in 2010 and 134 starts later has his first official win under his belt after claiming the 2022 Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club via a two-hole playoff with Zecheng Dou.
Dou, who held the 54-hole lead, shot a 3-under 69 but opened the door for a playoff with costly bogeys on Nos. 16 and 18. The pair played the par-5 18th twice in the playoff, with each making par on the first hole. Harkins eliminated Dou with a par on the second.
California dreamin' 🏆
In his 134th @PGATOUR-sanctioned start, Bay Area native @BrandonDHarkins earns his first title @BahamasKFTour! pic.twitter.com/jqywBtwDK6
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) January 26, 2022
While the win is the first official victory for Harkins, the 35-year-old signed for one of the best rounds of 2021 after a 28 on the back nine at famed Pebble Beach Golf Links in the 2021 TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational, an unofficial event where he beat fellow pros Alex Čejka and Harry Hall by two.
