Arnaud wins Hebert Open

Last weekend at the Victoria Open in Texas, Covington resident Michael Arnaud had a chance to win, but played a poor 72nd hole – parring an easy Par 5 to finish one shot back and in a tie for second place.

This weekend at the Hebert Open in Houma, Arnaud didn’t make the same mistake.

This time, he birdied the 72nd hole. In the process, he earned the big trophy from the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series and also a check for more than $25,000.

The tournament benefits the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC, generating thousands annually to help locals battle the deadly disease.

Arnaud won the 2017 Hebert Open this past weekend, shooting a final-round, 6-under 66 to finish the event 14-under par.

That four-round score of 274 was one shot better than runners-up Curtis Reed and Matt Davidson, who finished at 13-under.

Arnaud emerged in the winner’s circle after a bogey-free round. He birdied two of his final three holes to end the day – including the last.

He said the victory is huge, because it gives him momentum to carry through the rest of the season.

Arnaud started the day two-shots behind Davidson, who led throughout the event.

The late birdie ended hopes of what looked like a possible three-way playoff between the champion and the two runners-up.

“This says a lot,” Arnaud said. “This kind of validates how well I’ve been playing this season. It’s just kind of a boost to get me through the rest of the year.”

Arnaud peaked at the right time – capping what was an action-packed final round at Ellendale Country Club.

Davidson entered Saturday’s final round seemingly in control of the event.

The Greenville, South Carolina native battled stiff winds in the first three rounds to shoot 67-69-70 – enough to sit at 10-under – ahead of the field by two shots.

But Davidson struggled early in the final round, shooting just an even-par front-nine, which allowed others to make an assault on the top of the leaderboard.

He finished strong, ending with a 3-under 69, finishing at 13-under.

“I just didn’t get going early enough,” Davidson said. “I still had a chance to win, but I left too many shots out there early in the round.”

Reed was the hottest golfer on the course in the final round – the one who looked prime to take the trophy out from under Davidson.

Reed started the day four shots out of the lead, but then caught fire, shooting a final-round, 7-under 65 to get in the clubhouse early at 13-under par.

He ended his round 4-under in the final four holes, including an eagle at No. 16 – a Par 5.

But Arnaud was just as good.

He started hot, recording birdies at No. 1, No. 3 and No. 7 on the front nine to get rolling and erase the two-shot deficit he had coming into Saturday’s play.

From there, Arnaud also collected birdies on No. 11 and No. 16 to tie both Reed and Davidson for the lead as he approached the final hole.

The 18th hole at Ellendale is a bear – one of the hardest holes on the course. It’s a 470-yard Par 4 that played well over par for the tournament, with 122 bogeys, 18 double bogeys and just 34 birdies.

But Arnaud was one of the lucky 34.

He said he knew he was tied with Reed when he played the final hole. He added that he felt a sense of déjà vu, because he’d been in the same situation just seven days before in Texas.

Arnaud laced a drive down the fairway, then hit a solid approach shot near the pin.

From there, he drilled the putt to get in the clubhouse at 14-under.

Davidson had a chance to answer, but couldn’t. He parred both No. 17 and No. 18 to finish one shot back.

“When the putt went in, I just felt such relief,” Arnaud said. “I played a good round of golf today on a great course. Last week, I was on the wrong end of a close finish. This week, it sure felt good to reverse that and to get on the winning end of a tight ending.”

With the win, Arnaud earns a check for $27,000. Davidson and Reed will also prosper, picking up checks for $12,787.50.

Arnaud said in the coming weeks, he will continue on the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series to try and pick up some more titles.

But he also has plans to compete in several qualifying tournaments to try and compete in PGA Tour events.

Arnaud, 35, is a professional golfing veteran who’s played countless events on the Web.com Tour in recent years.

He also has one PGA Tour start in his career.

In four events on the Adams Tour in 2017, he’s finished eighth, tied for second and has now won.

“I’m hitting the ball well,” Arnaud said. “Now, I want to go and try and carry that forward. I love to play here on this tour, but I am going to try and get back up the ranks and try and work my way up the ladder as far as I can make it.

“This is a good start. To win a tournament builds confidence, and this is definitely a great feeling.” •

Michael Arnaud

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