Brandon Harkins broke through for his first Korn Ferry Tour title last week, beating China’s Zecheng Dou on the second hole of sudden death at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club.
The 35-year-old Harkins carded a 4-under 68 in the final round to finish regulation tied with Dou at 18-under 270. He tapped in a par putt for the win on the second playoff hole. “I just told myself all day [that] I believed in my ability and my talent, and I just really tried to focus on sticking to my process and playing my game, and seeing how we stood at the end,” Harkins said. “It’s a lot easier said than done when you get in the heat of things, but, for the most part, I did a really nice job of that today, and I owe a lot of credit to my caddie. He’s been doing an unbelievable job with me, and he keeps me very calm and we’re having fun out there.” The win vaults Harkins to the top of the KFT regular-season points standings, 21 points ahead of last week’s winner Akshay Bhatia, who missed the cut. Harkins finished T-33 in the season opener at Sandals Emerald Bay. Last season, he made 27 cuts in 42 starts during the KFT wrap-around season, with four top 10s and nine top 25s. His best finish was a second place at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at Baha Mar in January 2020.