Let’s take a moment to appreciate what Ryan Gerard just pulled off on the PGA Tour. It’s one of those career-altering weeks that could’ve slipped by if he’d listened to the wrong gut instinct—or, worse, booked the wrong flight.
After finishing a distant 74th at the Genesis Scottish Open, Gerard was faced with the kind of choice that can make or break your summer. Wait around in the U.K. as an alternate for the Open Championship at Royal Portrush—or fly across the globe to guaranteed playing time at the Barracuda Championship in California, a PGA Tour opposite-field event with far less spotlight, but very real stakes?
Gerard rolled the dice by avoiding the chaos. And boy, did it pay off. A 25-year-old with little sleep, a long flight, and everything to prove just walked away with his first PGA Tour title and a cool $720,000 check. And the cherry on top? He never would’ve gotten into the Open field anyway.
Instincts Steered Gerard the Right Way
Gerard had to trust his gut and some good advice. That advice came courtesy of Ben Griffin, a fellow UNC product and two-time PGA Tour winner. Gerard fired him a text mid-week: “Is it worth flying to Portrush from the U.S. as a second alt, or first?” Griffin didn’t sugarcoat it: “Nah, go win Tahoe.”
That’s exactly what Gerard did. He beat the odds, ignored the major allure, and banked on his game and a golf course that “suited his eye.” And now, he’s a PGA Tour winner.
It’s not just a win, it’s a moment that shows how betting on the right opportunity—not just the big-name one—can change your whole trajectory. It’s easy to chase the majors, but harder to say, “This is where I belong, right now,” and go take care of business.
Gerard didn’t chase the glamour. He went where he could compete. And now he’s got a trophy, a new status, and a major career milestone.
Next time you see his name on a leaderboard, remember: He won his first PGA Tour title by skipping the Open. And that just might be the smartest move he ever made.
