Richy Werenski Wins Golf Channel's 'Big Break' Reality Series

Richy Werenski (Bluffton, S.C. / South Hadley, Mass.) defeated Justin Martinson (Savannah, Ga. / Avondale, Pa.) 2&1 in the championship match on Monday's finale of Big Break The Palm Beaches, FL, the 23rd season of Golf Channel's reality competition franchise.

Contested on the Champion Course at PGA National Resort & Spa - home to the PGA TOUR's Honda Classic and the famed Bear Trap - Werenski captured the early momentum by winning the first two holes. However, Martinson not only erased Werenski's early advantage, but took the lead by converting four consecutive birdies (holes 8-11) to go 2-up. Battling the elements, Werenski won the next three holes to regain 1-up lead heading into The Bear Trap (holes 15-17). The duo traded pars on 15 and 16, and on the par-3 17th - after nearly holing out his tee shot - Werenski closed out the match with a 5-foot birdie putt to win 2&1.

"I just thought of my parents and everything they've done for me. I can't wait for them to see this," said Werenski following the conclusion of the match. "I'm through the roof right now. I thought I was good enough to win this, and I knew if I just played my game I would have a really good chance. Now I feel that much better about my game.

"I've never felt as much pressure that I felt here," Werenski continued. "Now, I feel way more prepared for whatever the future has to offer."

As champion of Big Break The Palm Beaches, FL, Werenski receives a sponsor's exemption to compete in the 2015 Barbasol Championship on the PGA TOUR (July 16-19). In addition, he receives more than $80,000 in cash and prizes, including:

$60,000 in cash, including $10,000 courtesy of Adams Golf.
An endorsement contract from Adams Golf.
$10,000 in car rental credit courtesy of Avis Car Rental.
$10,000 in travel credit courtesy of Travelocity.
A return, week-long trip for two to PGA National Resort & Spa, including suite accommodations, daily breakfast, select Spa services, daily golf and a chef's private dinner at Ironwood Steak & Seafood.
As a result of winning challenge prizes on the series, Werenski also earns:

$6,000 in cash
$2,250 in travel credit courtesy of Travelocity
Martinson won the following challenge prizes during the course of the series:

$6,000 in cash
$2,500 in car rental credit courtesy of Avis Car Rental
$2,250 in travel credit courtesy of Travelocity

SERIES FORMAT: Golf Channel's Big Break show concept pits highly skilled golfers against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness. During Big Break The Palm Beaches, FL, competitors are subject to skills challenges from tee-to-green, including two of the series' signature challenges, the popular "Glass Break" and "Flop Wall." One contestant is eliminated each week, with the last player standing awarded his Big Break, an opportunity to compete on the PGA TOUR.

For the past 22 seasons, Golf Channel's Big Break competition series has proven to be the launching pad for many aspiring professional golfers looking to take that next step in their golf careers, including PGA TOUR winners Matt Every and Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey and U.S. Solheim Cup participants Kristy McPherson, Gerina Piller and Ryann O'Toole, all playing full time on the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour, respectively. Several other past Big Break competitors will be competing on the world's top tours in 2015, including Tony Finau (PGA TOUR), Mallory Blackwelder, Katy Harris, Sadena Parks and Jackie Stoelting (LPGA Tour), Sophie Sandolo (Ladies European Tour) and Rick Cochran, Hugo Leon, James Nitties, Justin Peters and Mark Silvers (Web.com Tour).

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