In a stunning performance at the Korn Ferry Tour’s Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, 23-year-old Canadian golfer Sudarshan Yellamaraju captured his maiden professional victory in dominant fashion. Yellamaraju’s bogey-free final round 64 at The Abaco Club propelled him to a five-shot triumph at 25-under par, shattering the previous tournament scoring record.
The young prospect from north of the border began the final day with a slim one-stroke advantage but quickly seized control with a barrage of birdies. A scorching stretch saw Yellamaraju reel off five birdies in a six-hole span on the front nine to build a commanding lead.
I knew I had to get off to a strong start today to create some separation. Once the birdies started dropping early, I felt really confident and in control out there.
– Sudarshan Yellamaraju
Yellamaraju’s Bogey-Free Brilliance Seals the Deal
Showing poise beyond his years, the Canadian cruised home with a bogey-free inward nine that included three more birdies at the 14th, 15th and 17th holes. Yellamaraju’s clinical finishing stretch slammed the door on any would-be challengers.
The rising star’s 25-under par total of 263 obliterated the previous tournament record by a whopping five shots, underlining his wire-to-wire dominance at The Abaco Club. Yellamaraju led the field in birdies while keeping big numbers at bay all week.
Veteran Knox and Newcomer Hirata Share Runner-Up
Two-time PGA Tour winner Russell Knox of Scotland and Japan Golf Tour ace Kensei Hirata finished tied for a distant second at 20-under par. The 39-year-old Knox now boasts consecutive top-10s to open the Korn Ferry Tour season, while Hirata impressed in his KFT debut.
Key Stats from Yellamaraju’s Breakthrough Win
- 25-under 263 total – lowest winning score in tournament history by 5 shots
- 26 birdies – most in the field for the week
- 64 final round – tied lowest closing round by a champion
- 5-shot margin of victory – largest in event history
By emphatically notching his first professional win and Korn Ferry Tour title, Sudarshan Yellamaraju has put the golfing world on notice. The promising young Canadian appears poised to be the next great player to make the leap from the Korn Ferry circuit to PGA Tour stardom.
This is such an amazing feeling to get that first win under my belt. I can’t wait to carry this momentum forward and hopefully secure my PGA Tour card for next season.
– Sudarshan Yellamaraju
With his record-setting performance in the Bahamas, Yellamaraju has rocketed up the Korn Ferry Tour points list and greatly enhanced his chances of earning a PGA Tour promotion. Golf fans should keep a close eye on this talented Canadian as he aims to author the next chapter of his promising career.
