Golf, every so often, offers up Cinderella stories but few rank as highly as the backstory to Billy Hurley’s emotional victory in the Quicken Loans National.

Seven years ago, Hurley was serving in the US Navy aboard the USS Chung-Hoon stationed in the Persian Golf. Having risen to the rank of lieutenant, Hurley finished his tour of duty and five years in the military to try and play his way onto the PGA Tour.

Billy Hurley III celebrates after chipping in for a birdie on the 15th hole during the final round. PHOTO: Patrick Smith/Getty Images. Billy Hurley III celebrates after chipping in for a birdie on the 15th hole during the final round.
PHOTO: Patrick Smith/Getty Images.

He earned his PGA Tour card after just one year on the secondary Nationwide Tour. That was at the end of 2011.

Today, he joined the ranks of PGA Tour winner and the tears flowed freely.

Not solely because he had realised a dream but to win this tournament was something no scriptwriter could have imagined.

This Quicken Loans tournament is dedicated to military charities and highlighting the needs of military veterans, which can be linked back to Earl Woods' military service. Tiger Woods plays the consummate host, greeting wounded veterans and overseeing various ceremonies. So it was incredible to have a veteran win the tournament.

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Hurley was also a sponsor’s exemption to play at Congressional, having missed four cuts from his previous six starts. But his military background and the fact he lives locally, certainly helped him get a start.

Then, of course, it was at this event last year when Hurley fronted the media to appeal for help in finding his father, who had disappeared. The public plea worked and his dad was located, but he took his own life a few weeks later.

Hurley fought hard to hold back the tears later when he talked about his tough year now coming to an end with his maiden PGA Tour victory.

Billy Hurley shakes hands with tournament host Tiger Woods during the trophy presentation. PHOTO: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images. Billy Hurley shakes hands with tournament host Tiger Woods during the trophy presentation.
PHOTO: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images.

"Couldn't be a better tournament to win from all the facets of it," Hurley said. “From just being close to home, being close to the Academy, close to where I grew up. It's just perfect. You couldn’t script a better one for me to win.

"It's been a hard year … It's been a really hard year, so it's nice to have something go well."

 

Hurley’s final round 69 saw him finish at 17 under, three strokes clear of three-time major champion Vijay Singh, who closed with a 65. Spain’s Jon Rahm, playing in his first PGA Tour event as a professional, finished tied third with Bill Haas on 13 under. Ernie Els, looking for his first win since the 2012 Open Championship, was fifth after an up-and-down one over 72 final round.

Victoria’s Aaron Baddeley had his chances to move deep into a top-10 finish and perhaps grab one of four spots in The Open at Royal Troon in a few weeks time but two late bogies saw him drop to six under and T12.

Hurley, Singh, Rahm and American Harold Varner each grabbed a place in the field for The Open Championship.