There is no denying that virtual, simulator golf is taking off. And if you ask Jordan Weber, he might even say its the best thing to happen to the game since they decided to bring it the U.S.
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The 38-year-old from Des Moines, Iowa, was fighting back tears after he won the Season Finale of the NEXT Golf Tour Powered by Trackman, which was played on The Concession Golf Club.
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Weber said moments after the round:
“Wow! I am shaking and crying and all the things. I cannot believe I just did that. Unbelievable. I did not think it was going to happen.”
With a global audience (of dozens, but still) watching on YouTube, Weber shot a nine-under 63 at The Concession, including a back-nine 29 with birdies on the last five holes. He won by two strokes over Sigurdur Gardarsson of Iceland and Jesper Sandborg of Sweden (T-2, $17,500 each).
It was Weber’s second win of the seven-event season, pushing his total earnings to $90,319, including a $15,000 bonus for topping the Order of Merit.
The money, however, is only part of the winning Weber will be collecting. As the NEXT Golf Tour champion, he will also receive three Challenge Tour exemptions and a start on the DP World Tour this summer.
Weber said, clutching his hands, shaking his head:
“I get to go to Europe! I’m so pumped about that. Oh, gosh, it’s amazing. It’s just hard to believe that this could even happen to me.
Instead of (or at least while) opening an indoor golf center in his hometown this summer, perhaps even borrowing on his renown as arguably the best virtual golfer on the planet, Jordan Weber will be playing outdoors some 4,000 miles due east.
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Alongside Weber was Sweden’s Emma Thorngren, the top female performer of Season 2, who shot an even-par 72 in the finale to lock up the ANNIKA WAPT Wildcard, which includes membership to the U.S.-based ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour plus three entries to events during the 2024 season. Her earnings for the season totaled $17,155.
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Season 2 of the NEXT Golf Tour included 1,545 players from 55 countries who earned $1,269,800 overall. Season 3 will begin in Fall 2024, so make sure to sharpen your game over the next few months. You never know, you may find that this is your break into professional golf.
Cover Image via Business Wire
