By On a day marked by reflection, Davis Riley secured his first solo PGA Tour victory at the Charles Schwab Challenge, finishing five strokes ahead of his nearest competitors, Scottie Scheffler and Keegan Bradley. Riley’s victory was shadowed by the recent passing of fellow golfer Grayson Murray.
Entering the final round with a four-stroke lead, Riley shot a 70 to end the tournament at 14 under par. World No 1 Scheffler, who started the day in second place, couldn’t narrow the gap, finishing the round three over par through the first 10 holes. Riley’s consistent performance, marked by a birdie response to each of his four bogeys, solidified his lead.
Riley, 27, acknowledged the challenge of the course and the pressure of competing against the top-ranked golfer but expressed pride in his resilience and play, especially towards the end of the round.
The tournament was somber, coming just a day after the death of Grayson Murray. In his memory, participants wore red and black ribbons, the colors of Murray’s favorite NHL team, the Carolina Hurricanes. Riley dedicated his win to Murray, highlighting the emotional significance of the day. Murray’s family has expressed their gratitude for the support from the golf community during this difficult time.
