‘The dream was alive.’ Albertsons Boise Open winner punches PGA Tour card
It would be more than an hour before Emilio Gonzalez could celebrate his victory.
As he waited for the remaining golfers to finish at the 36th annual Albertsons Boise Open, Gonzalez spent some time sitting with his caddie in the players’ dining room.
When a playoff did not materialize, Gonzalez was finally declared a first-time winner on the Korn Ferry Tour on Sunday at Hillcrest Country Club.
Gonzalez shot a 10-under 61 in the final round — two shots shy of tying the tournament course record — to finish at 22-under 262, a single stroke ahead of Los Angeles native Jeffrey Kang in second place and two ahead of Belgium’s Adrien Dumont de Chassart and Scotland’s Russell Knox in a tie for third.
Gonzalez entered the final round of the four-day tournament three shots back of the lead.
“I did not look at the leaderboards at all,” Gonzalez said. “I just knew the situation I was in, especially once I got to the 15th tee. People tell you enough. A few cameras came over. I knew exactly where I stood, but the first leaderboard I looked at was actually here on 18.”
With Sunday’s win, the 27-year-old Gonzalez moves up to No. 4 on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour points list, effectively securing one of 20 PGA Tour cards available. His best prior showing was a runner-up finish at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open in June, and he had recorded six top 10s in 20 starts this season. He placed 13th at the 2024 Albertson Boise Open.
“I just felt like something special could happen today,” Gonzalez said. “Fortunately it worked out my way, and I got some good breaks, too.”
Gonzalez started his final round with an eagle on the par-4 first hole. He also eagled No. 16 and recorded seven birdies. His only bogey came on the par-3 No. 4.
The native of Mexico played four seasons at St. Mary’s University, an NCAA Division II program in San Antonio, Texas, earning a spot on the team thanks to the recommendation of his older sister, who also played for the Rattlers. He picked up seven collegiate victories and was named the conference player of the year three times.
Now he’ll be a rookie on the 2026 PGA Tour and walks away with a winner’s check from the Boise Open for $180,000.
“When I was a kid, I always loved golf,” Gonzalez said. “I grew up playing all sports, but since I was a kid, I dreamt of becoming a golf professional. But I was nowhere near good enough, until I got to college, that I could consider it.
“But always the dream was alive, so it’s just special to be here.”
Gonzalez will have the next four weeks off to soak in his victory before the season-ending Korn Ferry Tour Finals begin with the Simmons Bank Open, scheduled for Sept. 11-14 in Franklin, Tennessee.
This story was originally published August 17, 2025 at 7:15 PM.
