McCarthy Captures 47th Veritex Bank Texas State Open

DALLAS, Texas – Brax McCarthy of Fort Worth, Texas, captured the 47th Veritex Bank Texas State Open playing exceptional golf all week, including three straight rounds of 65 and a final round of 67. Defending champion Juan Fernandez of Paradise Valley, Arizona, and Zach Cabra of McKinney, Texas, made a good run today, but could not catch McCarthy. Fernandez and Cabra both fired final rounds of 66, finishing at 270, 10-under-par, for the Championship. McCarthy’s 3-under par round today was enough to clinch the Championship and take home the first place prize money of $40,000 and a lifetime exemption to the Veritex Bank Texas State Open.

McCarthy never let go of the lead after taking the position during Round Two. He held a nine shot lead heading into today’s final round and managed to keep the gap between him and the field all day, carding only two bogies along with his five birdies en route to his victory. A center-cut drive, perfect 8-iron from 190 yards and a tap-in birdie on the 505 yard par 4, 18th hole was all McCarthy needed to clinch the Championship.

“I feel very relieved. I had a hard time sleeping last night,” said McCarthy after the awards presentation. “It all clicked this week, and having [my caddie] Brandon definitely helped. It was huge. I couldn’t have done it without him, seriously. It’s a great list [of champions]. I consider myself fortunate to be on [it]. Ben Crenshaw, being a Longhorn, I grew up idolizing him – the designer of [Trinity Forest], a class act through and through. To be on the list with him and Mr. Trevino and Jackie Burke Jr. is a great feeling – it’s humbling.”

Andrew Paysse (a) of Temple, Texas, finished in fourth place and received Low Amateur honors this year shooting 71-68-65-67—272, 8-under-par, for the Championship. Paysse is a rising senior at Texas A&M University and was one of nine amateurs to make the cut. The Veritex Bank Texas State Open was a World Amateur Golf Ranking event, a ranking in which Paysse currently sits at 526 in the world.

Again this year, the Low PGA Club Professional was recognized. Fifteen PGA club professionals were in the field. Ben Kern, PGA head professional at Oeste Ranch Golf Course in Weatherford, Texas, claimed Low PGA Professional honors with rounds of 70-69-69-69—277, 3-under par. Kern was elected to PGA Membership at the beginning of July making him eligible for this honor for the first time.

The 72-hole stroke play event began with 156 contestants. Following 36-holes, the field was cut to the low 55 scores and ties. 62 players survived the cut, which was at 3-over-par 143. 53 professionals and nine amateurs played the final two rounds. All four rounds were contested at Trinity Forest Golf Club, a 7,135-yard, par 70 layout located in Dallas. The total purse was $200,000.

Children's Health is the charitable partner of the 47th Veritex Bank Texas State Open.

Please note: (a) denotes amateur, and amateurs were awarded gift certificates.

Final round results