DAVIDSON, September 8, 2013 (AFP) – Svoboda posted a final-round 70 at River Run Country Club to finish at 12-under and tied with MacKenzie (67), who chipped in for eagle on the par-5, 18th in regulation.
Ben Martin (68) and John Peterson (71) tied for third, one-stroke back. Ryo Ishikawa (66) finished two off the pace.
The Finals match Web.com Tour and PGA TOUR players together competing for 50 PGA TOUR cards and position for the 2013-14 PGA TOUR season that begins in early October. The leading money-earner of the Finals earns a spot in THE PLAYERS Championship in 2014.
The $180,000 winner’s check moves Svoboda into a tie for first with Trevor Immelman, winner of last week's Hotel Fitness Championship, on the Finals money list.
Svoboda only made five cuts in 18 starts on the PGA TOUR this year. He was inconsistent off the tee for most of the season and struggled around the greens. The St. Johns University grad put a new driver in the bag a few weeks ago and hit 39 out 54 fairways this week. Svoboda also changed the grips on his wedges to improve feel and help him around the greens.
One thing that aided Svoboda this week was the fact that he played in the Wyndham Championship earlier in the year. Svoboda finished T37 that week but did card a 65 in the opening round. The New York native believed that competing at Sedgefield Country Club gave him an advantage this week.
"I think playing there really helped me," he said. "This course is very similar to that course in a lot of respects."
Before the start of the Finals Svoboda did not control his fate at the Cox Classic, the final event of the Regular Season, because he missed the cut by one-stroke. He was No. 25 on the projected money list throughout much of the final round. Svoboda paid close attention to the action the entire day checking the updates on his computer.
Bronson La’Cassie had a putt on the 72nd hole of the tournament for birdie that determined who got into the top 25 on the Regular Season money list. When that putt went in, Svoboda felt very lucky to have finished inside the number.
"I have had a lot of good fortune," he said. "If Bronson (La’Cassie) makes that putt I get in the top 25, if he misses that, I’m out."
When La’Cassie made that putt to get into a playoff with Matt Bettencourt Svoboda received a call from his coach to head to the golf course for the card ceremony.
"I couldn’t believe it," he said. "I put all my golf clothes on and went over to the course to get my card. That was fun."
Regaining his PGA TOUR card was a huge relief for Svoboda. He felt like that freed him up to win this week.
"That would have made these events a lot tougher," he said. "Now you’re playing for your card instead of playing to win a tournament."
Svoboda’s confidence has really taken off with this victory. Svoboda is excited to get back to the PGA TOUR and plans on working really hard to improve on his weaknesses in the off season.
"I’m set now for next year," he said. "I think if I drive it good and my short game is good I will have a chance next year on TOUR."