Gunner Wiebe earns victory at the 44th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship

What a difference one year can make.

After starting his 2019 and 2020 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championships with first-round 70s, Gunner Wiebe’s finishing 54 holes underwent a remarkable 21-stroke improvement (2019: 77-75-77, 2020: 67-69-72).

The PGA Assistant Professional at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles closed out his 2020 campaign with a final-round 72 to finish at 10-under 278 and claim a two-shot victory at PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker Course.

Jin Chung of Lawrenceville, Ga., finished as the runner-up at 8-under 280.

Wiebe is the first champion since Andy Mickelson in 2015 to pull out the win after holding both the 36 and 54-hole leads.

“I’m super relieved. That’s the biggest thing I feel. I’m just relieved it’s over. I was running out of gas,” said the 31-year-old Wiebe. “I couldn’t be more excited. It’s the biggest tournament I can play in anymore. To be able to win is super special.

“My boss was here - Dave Podas (PGA Director of Golf at Bel-Air). He’s one of the rules officials and was behind the 18th green. To be able to celebrate with someone who’s on my side was really cool.”