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Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

University of Florida Head Coach J C Deacon erases a five-shot final round deficit to win in a playoff

By Florida State Golf Association

July 28^th, 2025

Two Great Courses combine for one of Florida's top tournaments

Quail West Golf & Country Club and The TwinEagles Club co-hosted the 79th edition of the Florida Open Championship, setting the stage for a thrilling event. The excellent conditioning and layouts of both courses offered a true test for professionals and amateurs alike. Coupled with ideal weather throughout the weekend, the views were simply unmatched.

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

A strong field leads the way

Before the tournament began, 16 qualifying rounds were held to determine the final field for the Florida Open. In the end, 156 players teed it up, including 56 amateurs and 100 professionals. They competed for a prize purse of $125,000.

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Past Champions Make Their Prescence Felt

Among the competitors were four past Florida Open champions: 2022 Champion Andy Pope, 2017 and 2020 Champion J C Deacon, 2014 and 2016 Champion Caleb Johnson, and 2003 Champion and FSGA Hall of Fame member Joe Alfieri.

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Round One Begins

Round One brought immediate excitement, with plenty of low scores to kick off the tournament. Amateur Nashawn Tyson got off to a scorching start with four straight birdies to begin his round. Brad Schneider and Trevor Hulbert fired matching 66s to sit in a tie for second. However, the low round of the day belonged to AJ Crouch, who carded a stellar 64 to take the lead after Round One.

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Moving Day Brings Even More Action

As the second round commenced on Saturday, the leaderboard began to take shape and key names emerged from the pack. Two-time champion J C Deacon carded a bogey-free 65, highlighted by four straight birdies on his back nine. Joseph Pagdin matched that score with a 65 of his own, securing a spot in Sunday’s final group. Seventeen-year-old Tristan Wieland surged into contention with a bogey-free 66, taking the lead in the race for low amateur honors.

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

"Tomorrow I’m just going to play it one shot at a time, not do anything crazy, and just hope the birdies come to me.

Lucky Number 11

There was a hole-in-one during the week, courtesy of Golden Ocala’s Ted Potter, who aced the 11th hole at Quail West — fittingly, his 11th career hole-in-one!

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Florida Gators Battle it out in the Final Round

Heading into the final round, it was truly anyone’s tournament to win, with the top six players separated by just five shots. Emerging from the pack was J C Deacon, who eagled his opening hole to grab a share of the lead. Joseph Pagdin, a former UF standout, shot 3-under on his front nine to take the lead. Needing a birdie on the 18th to force a playoff, Deacon delivered — hitting a clutch wedge to three feet and sinking the putt, sending the two Gators into a playoff.

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to Victory

In the playoff, Deacon remained calm and collected while competing against one of his former players. With Pagdin out of position, Deacon laid up on the par-5 before hitting a wedge to 17 feet. From there, he sank the winning birdie putt, becoming the first three-time Florida Open champion since 1962.

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Low Amateur, Tristan Wieland

A testament to his strong and consistent play throughout the weekend, Tristan Wieland earned Low Amateur honors. Finishing at 10-under par, he was the only amateur in the field to break par in every round. Wieland now looks forward to taking his talents to the University of Michigan next year.

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Thank You, Quail West and TwinEagles!

The Florida Open is a special tournament, made even more memorable by the exceptional condition of both courses. We extend our sincere thanks to the maintenance teams at Quail West and TwinEagles for their dedication to excellence and for creating an outstanding environment for all the players this weekend.

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

Deacon Chomps His Way to a Third Florida Open Title

© 2026 Florida State Golf Association

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