Brazilian golf revelation shines in US tournament and breaks historical taboos

The Brazilian Fred Biondi, 22, was individual and team champion of the NCAA, the highest university golf tournament in the United States, with sports legends such as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, among his champions.

The feito of winning both the individual tournament and the team, therefore, it was rare. The last one was South African Aaron Wise, in 2016 and, before him, Kevin Chappell, in 2008.

From bankruptcy, Fred Biondi still ends a taboo of 22 years since a golfer became individual national champion playing for the Gators, representative of Florida in the university league. Only two athletes have conquered or feit: Bob Murphy (1966) and Nick Gilliam (2001).

The Brazilian titles came from the Grayhawk Golf Club, in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Biondi finished the four rounds with 7 under the pair, and was responsible for the decisive point in the victory of the Gators, from Florida, over Georgia Tech.

First Brazilian classified to the Masters

“I was just trying to be calm and patient,” Biondi told the AP agency. “You are going to make mistakes in the field and I feel that, if you are patient, you will have a better chance of coming out on top”.

With the victory, Biondi won prizes for the Open in the United States, not the Los Angeles Country Club, and for the Masters Tournament next year, the Augusta National, which for the first time could have a Brazilian athlete among his competitors.

Feitos from adolescence

Fred Biondi moved to the United States, still a teenager, to continue his career in golf. Still 15 years old, he received the “Jogador do Ano” award in his category and was twice champion of the Boys Junior Amateur Championship in consecutive editions.

He is sponsored by major brands, such as Callaway and Nike.

(Posted by Luccas Oliveira)