Lee McCoy Receives Sponsor Exemption into Valspar Championship
08 Mar 2016
by Jeremy Gomberg of AmateurGolf.com
see also: Lee McCoy Rankings
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Lee McCoy (Courtesy NCAA)
PALM HARBOR, Fla. -- University of Georgia senior Lee McCoy grew up on the Innisbrook Golf Resort and now has the opportunity to return to his hometown to compete in the Valspar Championship.
McCoy received one of eight sponsor exemptions into the 144-man PGA Tour field this week and will be the only amateur competing. It will be McCoy's 4th appearance in a PGA Tour event, having played in last year's US Open, Travelers Championship, and John Deer Classic. His best result is a tie for 69th at the John Deere.
"I've got some good experience so far," McCoy told Tampa Bay Times. "This one is extraordinarily special just because of where it is. I'll have a lot of family and friends out this week."
McCoy was a member of the 2015 Walker Cup team and earned First-team All-American honors last year after he racked up four individual wins including three in a row. He plans on turning professional after he graduates in May.
"I expect to have a really good time," McCoy said. "I honestly believe that if I get it going then I'll have a chance to contend. The main objective though is to continue to learn."
McCoy tees off at 1:40 pm (ET) Thursday with 2013 Walker Cup member Michael Kim and Billy Hurley III.