ELMSFORD, N.Y. (April 29, 2026) – An eagle on the par-5 finisher of the PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes in Bandon, Ore., propelled Chris Gabriele to securing a spot in the PGA Championship for the first time.
Related: PGA Professional Championship Results
Gabriele, in his first year as head golf professional at Old Westbury Golf and Country Club, entered the final round tied for 12th, with a 2-under 69 on the Pacific Dunes course helping offset a 2-over 74 and 1-over 73 in rounds one and three.
Needing a top-20 finish to lock up a spot at Aronimink Golf Club for the May 14-17 championship, Gabriele had a hot start, making the turn in 3-under 33. While he tallied five bogeys in a seven-hole stretch on his final nine, Gabriele proved clutch with his closing eagle that placed him one clear of the cut line.
Meanwhile, 2015 Met Open winner Ben Polland also finished tied for 10th at 1-over. Polland, the director of golf at Shooting Star in Jackson Hole, Wyo., had a strong start with rounds of 3-under 69 and 1-under 71 on the Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes courses, respectively before an 8-over 80 in the third round. Polland, who worked under Darrell Kestner at Deepdale while in the Met Area, bounced back nicely on the final day, carding a 4-under 68 that included birdies on Nos. 16 and 18. This will be Polland’s fifth appearance in the PGA Championship.
