CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLF ASSOCIATION

On Sunday, he could putt – and he was the best golfer in the Inaugural Chicago Adaptive Open.

The 23-year-old Arizona native fired a 1-under 71 in the final round, the only red number of the entire event, to finish the two-round competition at +4 and claim the Overall title on Cog Hill Golf & Country Club’s Course No. 3.

Fultz was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, which causes tremors in his hands that impact his putting stroke. Following a disappointing first round in which he missed multiple short putts, Fultz re-focused on the practice putting green and entered Sunday’s finale with a refreshed mindset.

 “Sometimes I can get in my head,” Fultz admitted. “I told myself, ‘Stay patient, and pressure is a privilege. Go have fun. This is why we do this, is to have a chance to win. To feel the nerves. To try to embrace it and go have fun.’ ”

Fun was had on the front nine, during which Fultz carded four birdies to turn in 32. The back nine was more of an adventure, as he bogeyed Nos. 10, 13, 14 and 16. Nevertheless, the crown was still within his reach on the short par-5 17th, as he held a one-stroke lead over Ryanne Jackson (Madeira Beach, Fla. / Neurological & Coordination Impairment). After blocking his second shot long and right of the green, Fultz fortunately found his ball after a lengthy search. He pitched on to the green, and, after his first putt, was left to face his nemesis – a four-footer for par.

“Speaking of those putts I had been struggling with, I made a clutch short putt,” Fultz fondly recalled. “I didn’t know where I was at [on the leaderboard], but I knew I wanted to make par on a short par 5 that would feel bad to bogey.”

With renewed confidence, and unknowingly needing par to secure the victory, Fultz stepped to the tee on the straightaway 319-yard par-4 and hammered a center-cut drive that traveled every bit of 300 yards.

“I had some momentum after that short putt,” Fultz said. “I felt good [on the tee] and I just went after it and ripped it. One of the best drives of the week was that last hole. I hit it so well, a little cut. I couldn’t ask for more.”

A chip on to the green and a routine two-putt secured the victory for Fultz, who played collegiately at Southern Virginia University and won the overall crown in the inaugural Ohio Adaptive Open in 2023.

Jackson, the first-round overall leader after carding an even-par 72, finished one stroke back following a 77 on Sunday. Despite the near miss, Jackson still claimed the Overall Women’s crown and took positives out of this performance as she prepares to defend her U.S. Adaptive Open Women’s Overall title next week in Kansas.

“I’m definitely not disappointed, especially when you get beat by someone who played so well and so consistently,” Jackson said. “Jarrett played amazing. You can’t be upset when someone outplays you, and I didn’t have my best today. Obviously, it would have been pretty exciting to win overall, but there’s always the next tournament and next year for this one. I’m looking forward to coming back.”

Kirk Holmberg (Hutchinson, Kan. / Neurological & Coordination Impairments) earned the Overall Senior distinction following rounds of 81 and 74. Additionally, up to three places were awarded in 16 different Sports Classifications, with a total purse of $15,000 being distributed accordingly.