Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae
Course Insight
TPC Stonebrae sits in unspoiled surroundings on Walpert Ridge more than 1,500 feet above and east of San Francisco Bay. Architect David McLay Kidd took full advantage of the topography’s sweeping panoramic vistas, rolling grasslands, wind-twisted oaks and lichen-glazed outcroppings to create a strong test reminiscent of the links-style courses of his native Scotland. Breathtaking views of Mt. Diablo, Mt. Tamalpais, the East Bay and San Francisco heighten the experience, while an unpredictable breeze adds to the challenge. The finishing hole is a 598-yard par 5 where birdies can be had but native areas in play can bring bogeys into the picture.
“I was happy to have another try [after missing a putt at the end of regulation]. I was fortunate.”
- Si Woo Kim
How Si Woo Kim Won 2015
Si Woo Kim, Jamie Lovemark and Wes Roach were tied for the lead through 54 holes, and that’s the way they stayed through regulation as all shot 68 in the final round. The ending contained drama, as Lovemark bogeyed the 18th hole to lose a one-stroke lead, while Kim missed a three-foot birdie putt that would have won it. Given a second chance, Kim holed a three-foot putt for the winning birdie after a pitch from 50 yards on the par-5 18th, the first extra hole. Kim had a steady final round of three birdies and one bogey in contrast to Lovemark, who double bogeyed the par-5 12th, made three straight birdies starting on 14, then bogeyed 18.- At 20 years old, South Korea’s Kim became the second-youngest winner ever on the Web.com Tour behind Jason Day, who was 19 when he won the Legend Financial Group Classic in 2007.
