Tim O’Neal, 52, had three wins on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica circuit, but his last win was eight years ago and he never achieved success on the Korn Ferry Tour or the PGA Tour.
However, on Sunday, O’Neal earned the biggest victory of his career by winning the 2024 Dominion Energy Charity Classic on the PGA Tour Champions in his 50th start on the circuit.
This victory came at the first leg of the three-event Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, and O’Neal’s timing couldn’t have been better. Initially sitting at 55th in the points, only the top 54 advance to Round 2. O’Neal’s win catapulted him well inside that cut line after an impressive performance at The Country Club of Virginia.
O’Neal’s tournament started with a solid 1-under 71, followed by a strong 5-under 67. He closed out the final round with an exceptional 7-under 65, featuring a front-nine 32 and maintaining his lead. Despite a minor hiccup on the par-5 16th, O’Neal managed to secure his victory with a two-shot lead over Gonzalez.
Tim O’Neal celebrates with his caddie after making a putt on the first hole during the final round of the 2024 Dominion Energy Charity Classic at The Country Club of Virginia. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
David Bransdon finished third with a solid 5-under 67, moving from 56th to 35th in the points race. Tim Petrovic secured fourth place at 8 under. Meanwhile, Ernie Els, who leads the points race, settled for a tie for 20th place.
With the top 54 now advancing to the Simmons Bank Championship in Little Rock, Arkansas on Oct. 25-27, several golfers managed to improve their standings in the points race:
- Tim O’Neal: 55th to 13th
- David Bransdon: 56th to 35th
- Paul Goydos: 59th to 46th
Unfortunately, some golfers moved in the opposite direction and fell out of the top 54, ending their 2024 seasons:
- Chris DiMarco: 51st to 55th
- Kirk Triplett: 53rd to 56th
- Angel Cabrera: 54th to 59th
