Willy Pumarol seized a thrilling playoff win on Wednesday at the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour event held at TPC San Antonio in Texas. After narrowly finishing second in his tour debut last month in Florida, Pumarol emerged victorious in a three-hole sudden-death playoff against Andrew Walker, securing his first APGA title in challenging windy conditions.
The event took place as part of the 2026 APGA Tour schedule, where Pumarol’s clutch performance earned him not only the title but also valuable points toward the Cisco Cup Series and the Jeff Dailey Player of the Year standings.
Playoff Drama Sees Missed Opportunity Open Door for Pumarol
During the playoff, Andrew Walker missed a crucial 10-foot putt on the third hole, allowing Pumarol to capitalize and sink his putt to claim the championship. Walker, a two-time APGA winner from Holt, Michigan, had forced the playoff by birdieing the final two regulation holes, demonstrating strong resilience throughout.
Pumarol reflected on his performance, saying,
“It feels awesome. The (TPC San Antonio – Canyons) course played very tough. It was really windy yesterday and today. It kind of makes me feel like playing in the Dominican Republic. I played great and didn’t make a bogey in either round, which isn’t something that I could have imagined while playing the practice round on Monday.”
—Willy Pumarol, APGA Champion
Pumarol’s Progress and Career Highlights
Now 37, Pumarol made his APGA debut in February, just days before his birthday, and quickly showcased his potential by nearly winning his first tournament. His win at TPC San Antonio earned him an $8,000 prize from a $25,000 purse, along with 500 points toward key season-long awards.
Originally from the Dominican Republic, Pumarol resides in Orlando, Florida. He played collegiate golf at Barry University from 2008 to 2011 and was recognized as a Golf Coaches Association of America Scholar All-American in 2010. Since turning professional in 2011, he has competed in multiple PGA TOUR events, including six starts at the Corales Puntacana Championship, with a best finish of tied 53rd in last year’s event.
He also played in numerous PGA TOUR-sanctioned developmental tours over recent seasons, including 16 tournaments in 2024 and 2025 across PGA TOUR Americas and two events in the 2023 PGA TOUR Latinoamerica season.
Reflecting on his recent momentum after finishing second at last month’s Cisco Black History Month Classic, Pumarol stated,
“Finishing second at the Cisco Black History Month Classic last month in Florida gave me a ton of confidence to come out here in San Antonio and play great. I played in the last group a few weeks ago in Ponte Vedra (Florida) and was super nervous, but I have been working pretty hard on my game and was able to handle the nerves today.”
—Willy Pumarol, APGA Champion
Top Performers Round Out the Leaderboard at San Antonio
David Kim from Anaheim, California, led the first round with an impressive seven-under 65, followed closely by Pumarol at six-under 66. Kim, a former Big West Conference Player of the Year at UC Irvine in 2017, has recently competed on PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Americas, establishing himself as a strong contender on developmental circuits.
Kim finished the tournament in third place at nine-under 135 after rounds of 65 and 70, just two strokes behind the winner. Two-time Jeff Dailey Player of the Year Chase Johnson, along with Gregory Odom, Jr. from Memphis, Tennessee, tied for fourth at seven-under 137.
Other notable finishers included Marcus Byrd, the 2025 APGA Jeff Dailey Player of the Year, and Everett Whiten, Jr., the 2025 APGA Billy Horschel Invitational Champion, who tied for sixth place with a score of six-under 138.
Additional Standouts and Local Competitors
Michael Bradham, a local golfer from La Vernia, Texas, who is also a two-time APGA winner and former architectural manager, finished in a five-way tie for eighth place at four-under 140. He shared this position with players such as Wille Mack III of Flint, Michigan, Joe Hooks from Scottsdale, Arizona, Enrique Dimayuga of the Philippines, and Manav Shah from Bakersfield, California.
Wille Mack III, the APGA’s active wins leader with 18 career triumphs, recently added to his record by winning the Cisco Black History Month Classic and finishing runner-up in the season-opening APGA Farmers Insurance Invitational at Torrey Pines.
Among a strong field, several players shot bogey-free rounds in the opening stages and delivered consistent performances across both days despite tough weather conditions.
Overview of the APGA Tour and Upcoming Events
The Advocates Professional Golf Association, founded in 2010, is a non-profit group focused on fostering diversity and inclusion within the sport of golf. The organization hosts professional tournaments, mentoring initiatives, and player development programs aimed at amplifying opportunities for minority and underserved golfers.
With 12 scheduled events in 2026 offering prize money exceeding $1 million, the APGA Tour continues to provide a significant platform for emerging talent. The next event on the 2026 schedule is the APGA Daugherty Foundation Championship, set to take place at Glen Echo Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, from May 11-14.
Through its commitment, the APGA supports golfers aspiring to reach the highest levels in professional golf, striving to create a more inclusive future for the sport.
