FedEx Cup playoff berth means everything to Chesson Hadley (video)

Chesson Hadley didn’t win his second PGA Tour title at the Wyndham Championship on Sunday. But he still had something to celebrate.

Fairytales usually have happy endings. Chesson Hadley was living one on Sunday at the Wyndham Championship.

Hadley began the round in 51st place. He needed to finish 16th or better to get inside the top-125 and qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs for the fifth time in his career. He didn’t need just a good final round; he needed a magical one. And he got it.

Thanks to a hole-in-one on the par-three 16th, his seventh hole of the round, Hadley shot an eight-under 62. It was his 590th round in a PGA Tour career that dates back to 2014, plus countless more practice rounds, junior golf tournaments, and Korn Ferry Tour events. It was, he admits, the first hole-in-one of his life, and he celebrated like it. As the ball landed past the hole and rolled back into the cup, Hadley raised his arms in complete jubilation and jumped as high as he could.

Chesson Hadley gets some help to squeak into the FedEx Cup

The celebration wasn’t just for the ace. It was knowing just what it means for his season and his career. Hadley went six-under on his front-nine and made two more birdies on the back. His 62 was his lowest round on tour since a 61 at the Safeway Open nearly four years ago. Finishing his round knowing he did everything he possibly could, he headed over to speak to CBS’ Amanda Balionis and let his emotions flow out.

“It’s been a tough year. It’s been a tough past few years,” Hadley said, barely able to hold back the tears. “Just to have something good happen today was special.”

“It’s emotional because I care. I’m not just out here for fun. This is my job and I love it. And I care very deeply about it. That’s why I’m emotional.”

Hadley still needed some help to get into the FedEx Cup, and he got it from a former World No. 1. Justin Rose three-putted on the 18th hole. The bogey dropped him to 126th. Hadley moved to 125th and safely in the field at the Northern Trust next week. Just 1.2 points separate Hadley and Rose in the final standings. That’s a difference of one shot over the course of the past 11 months.

Hadley finished the tournament tied for 15th, three shots back of the record six-way playoff for the title but with the feeling of a player who gave it all he had and got rewarded for it.