,Wake Forest, N.C., September 1, 2025
News Summary
Michael Brennan delivered a dramatic comeback at the CRMC Championship, securing his second professional victory of the season. With an impressive 8-under 63 in the final round, he overcame a four-shot deficit and triumphed over Derek Hitchner in a thrilling one-hole playoff. This win brings Brennan within reach of a Korn Ferry Tour exemption, making his next goal just one victory away as he continues to lead in multiple statistical categories on the PGA TOUR Americas.
Wake Forest, N.C. — Michael Brennan Charges Back, Wins CRMC Championship and Eyes Korn Ferry Tour Exemption
There was drama and late-round fireworks at the CRMC Championship where Michael Brennan pulled off a gutsy comeback to pick up his second professional victory of the season. In true headline-grabbing fashion, Brennan erased a four-shot deficit with a scintillating final round and then sealed the deal in a one-hole playoff.
How the finish unfolded
Brennan posted an electrifying 8-under 63 in the final round to force extra holes, then went toe-to-toe with Derek Hitchner and emerged victorious on the first playoff hole. It was a clutch showing that underscored why he’s been the story of the PGA TOUR Americas season so far.
Why this matters: Korn Ferry Tour dreams on the line
With the CRMC win, Brennan is now just one victory away from the elusive three-victory promotion. That promotion would hand him exempt status on the Korn Ferry Tour for 2026 — a huge step on the pathway up the professional ladder. It’s the kind of breakthrough that can turbocharge a young pro’s career.
Season numbers that demand attention
These aren’t flukes. Brennan is leading multiple statistical categories on the PGA TOUR Americas and currently sits atop the Fortinet Cup standings. The kind of consistency he’s showing is rare: since finishing No. 12 in the PGA TOUR University Class of 2024, he has made the cut in 14 straight events — the longest active streak on the circuit since the 2024 Fortinet Cup Championship.
Across the 2025 season he leads all players with nine top-10 finishes. Over his PGA TOUR Americas career he now has 14 top-10s in 23 starts, and strikingly, 12 of those 14 top-10s have been produced in his last 17 starts dating back to the 2024 season. That’s a clear sign of a player heating up at exactly the right time.
What happened at the BioSteel Championship
Brennan’s first professional win came at the BioSteel Championship, where he closed with a powerful 6-under 64 to win by five shots. That triumph vaulted him to No. 1 on the Fortinet Cup points list. His winning margin of -25 was the largest on PGA TOUR Americas since 2024, and he made history there as the first wire-to-wire winner on the circuit in 2025.
Even when the lead looked to be slipping — he began the final day of BioSteel with a four-stroke cushion that shrank to one at the turn — Brennan kept his foot on the gas. A tear on the back nine with five birdies and a closing 5-under 30 helped seal a dominant week. Across the four rounds he led the field in eagles, recorded the second-most birdies, and tied for the fewest bogeys with only two for the week.
What this means going forward
Two wins in a season are major momentum. Brennan’s consistency — long cut streaks, frequent top-10s, and now multiple victories — puts him on a clear trajectory toward higher tours. The next win would not only be another trophy but could also secure that Korn Ferry Tour exemption for 2026, a fast-lane ticket many talented pros crave.
Why fans should keep watching
For golf junkies who love a rising star, Brennan ticks a lot of boxes: steady nerves, a knack for making birdies and eagles, and an ability to close under pressure. Whether you’re tracking Fortinet Cup points or just enjoy late-round surges and playoff drama, Brennan’s run this season is must-see material.
Quick takeaways
- Second win of the season: CRMC Championship victory after a final-round 8-under 63 and a playoff win over Derek Hitchner.
- One win away from promotion: A third win would grant Korn Ferry Tour exempt status for 2026.
- Fortinet Cup leader: Brennan currently tops the points list and leads several statistical categories on PGA TOUR Americas.
- Record of consistency: 14 consecutive cuts made since PGA TOUR University 2024 and nine top-10s in 2025 alone.
- BioSteel dominance: First pro win was wire-to-wire, five-shot margin, and a -25 tournament total — the biggest since 2024.
FAQ
Who is Michael Brennan?
Michael Brennan is a Wake Forest men’s golf alum who has quickly become one of the standout performers on PGA TOUR Americas, collecting multiple wins and leading key season categories.
What happened at the CRMC Championship?
Brennan shot an 8-under 63 in the final round, erased a four-shot deficit, and beat Derek Hitchner on the first playoff hole to claim the title.
What is the three-victory promotion?
A player who wins three events in a single season on PGA TOUR Americas earns a promotion that typically grants exempt status on the Korn Ferry Tour for the following season.
How has Brennan performed this season?
He leads the tour with nine top-10 finishes in 2025, sits atop the Fortinet Cup standings, and has maintained a 14-event cut-making streak since PGA TOUR University 2024.
What was notable about his BioSteel Championship win?
It was Brennan’s first pro victory, a wire-to-wire performance with a final round 6-under 64, a five-shot margin, and a -25 total — the largest winning margin on the tour since 2024.
Quick Reference
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tournament | CRMC Championship |
| Winning score (final round) | 8-under 63 |
| Playoff | Defeated Derek Hitchner on the first playoff hole |
| Season wins | 2 |
| BioSteel Championship finish | Won by five shots, final round 6-under 64, -25 total |
| Fortinet Cup position | 1st |
| Consecutive cuts made | 14 (longest active streak on PGA TOUR Americas) |
| Top-10s in 2025 | 9 |
| Career top-10s (PGA TOUR Americas) | 14 in 23 starts |
| Next major milestone | One more win for three-victory promotion and Korn Ferry Tour exemption for 2026 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
John Kemp Dominates as U.S. Senior Amateur Launches at Oak Hills
Additional Resources
- PGA Tour – Michael Brennan Wins CRMC Championship
- Wikipedia: Michael Brennan
- Golf Channel – Michael Brennan’s Victory
- Google Search: Michael Brennan PGA TOUR Americas
- Golf Digest – Brennan’s Success on Tour
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Korn Ferry Tour
- ESPN – Michael Brennan CRMC Championship Win
- Google News: Michael Brennan Golf
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