S. Driffill, Sawyer coexist en route to victory at 2024 Genesee Invitational

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (FLX) — Leading up to the third major of the season, FLX Tour fans were left wondering if the pre-tournament favorites of Shane Driffill and Sean Sawyer could live up to the hype, or crumble under the weight of their unbearable rivalry.

It was the former over the latter Sunday at the 2024 Genesee Invitational where Driffill and Sawyer laid claim to the crown, eaching winning their second major and their second GI title, with a net score of -9 (62), beating three other teams who tied for second place at -8 (63, full scores and results below).

“We are satisfied with the results, and everyone will be hearing about this for a long time” said FLX Tour Co-Commissioner Shane Driffill.

Sources close to FLX HQ could not confirm the champion commissioner’s wherabouts as recently as Monday afternoon, but after an all nighter with Lou and the Gang, rumors swirled that Shane was heard yelling “I’m going to Disney World!” as he pulled into the Romig’s parking lot Monday.

The other champion, Sawyer, was back on the grind Monday, playing more golf. With the new Young Man of the Year rankings allowing Tour pros to drop their worst result from the calculations, Sunday’s win all but assured Sawyer will become the FLX Tour’s second YMOTY.

“He’s had a stellar year and although it’s not officially official, we couldn’t be happier,” said FLX Tour Co-Commissioner Matt Driffill. “Sawyer has been a proud flag-bearer of the FLX Tour, often finishing in second and third place at majors, so for him to break through here, and for YMOTY this year, I’m really happy for him and proud of him. Regrettably, Shane gets to share in his success this time around.”

“That was a long day bub,” FLX Tour Rules Czar and Head of Content Joey Mortillaro said.

Long day indeed. The first groups arrived at the course around 8 a.m. and the group photo after the trophy presentation didn’t occur until nearly eight hours later.

“It’s a grind out there,” said one anonymous source. “It’s my fiance’s wedding shower. I really gotta go.”

A grind indeed. It was a tight front nine with 10 groups within three strokes of each other, but the favorites pulled away, despite a little bit of a sweat and some drama with a bogey on 18. A double there would have prompted a four-way tie among the top of the podium.

“Frankly, I’m glad that didn’t happen,” Matt Driffill said. “Pat Moynihan and Chad Christ already left, we were all tired. I had a show to get to. We just can’t right now.”

Elsewhere on the course was a mess of chaos, smiles, euphoria and despair. The Tour Discord channel was lit up mid round with updates of lost wedges, club covers, and even a phone.

“We were heading up the fairway on 13 and saw Matt and Chuck driving right towards us,” said Dom “The Stick” Trento. “Chuck started yelling and waving his arms around. Matt looked exhausted, like really, really tired.”

“We ultimately found the phone,” Chuck said.

Chuck and Matt were among the bottom feeders on the leaderboard, chalking their frustration to lack of rhytym, brutal rough for grass, and overall lack of talent or skill.

It was a grind indeed, as has this whole season, but it’s not over yet. The FLX Cup is scheduled for October 5 at Greystone. The registration form for this prestigious event is available now through the button below.

There are also whispers of a Halloween-themed pop-up golf event for FLX Tour Pros on the morning of Saturday, October 26. Stay tuned.

2024 Genesee Invitational results

RankTour ProNet ScoreYMOTY Points
1Sean Sawyer-936
1Shane Driffill-936
T-2Joey Mortillaro-834
T-2Patrick Moynihan-834
T-2Brandon Moynihan-834
T-2Chad Christ-834
T-2Tim Dorsheimer-834
T-2Ryan Netchke-834
5Boston Siwiec-728
5Mykola Prkopneko-728
6Brier Koroly-626
6Nick Hawes-626
T-7Brendan Milward-524
T-7Gene Ferrera-524
T-7Tom Dieure-524
T-7Jon Thorpe-524
9Ben Annal-220
9Josh Kowalski-220
10Danny Driffill-118
10Mike Mortillaro-118
11Ryan PancioneE16
11Steve NallyE16
T-12Matt Driffill114
T-12Chuck Pace114
T-12Dan Riesenburger114
T-12Dom Trento114
13Ryan Wirth210
13Eric Spanbauer210
14Scott Stedman38
14Alex M. Dooley38
15Evan Santiago56
15Josh Vallletta56
T-16Todd Horne84
T-16Lou Englert84
T-16Kyle Pierce84
T-16Nathan Wirth84

Updated YMOTY Rankings (08/27/24)

RankTour ProYMOTY Points
1Sean Sawyer100
2Shane Driffill97
3Ryan Netchke95
4Tom Dieure80
5Joey Mortillaro69
T-6Brendan Milward66
T-6Chad Christ66
8Dan Riesenburger65
9Tim Dorsheimer63
10Mike Mortillaro61
11Patrick Moynihan60
T-12Dom Trento56
T-12Brandon Moynihan56
T-12Boston Siwiec56
T-15Dan Graves53
T-15Alex M. Dooley53
T-17Gene Ferrera50
T-17Nick Hawes50
T-19Kyle Pierce48
T-19Chuck Pace48
T-21Brier Koroly47
T-21Danny Driffill47
23Ryan Pancione46
24Chris Miers44
25Matt Driffill41
26Nathan Wirth37
27Josh Kowalski35
28Ben Annal34
29Kevin Moyhnihan Jr.33
30Jon Thorpe30
31Mykola Prkopneko28
32Josh Valletta27
T-33Ryan Wirth26
T-33Jesse Cramer24
T-33Dan Driffill Sr.24
T-36Todd Horne24
T-36Steve Nally20
38Evan Santiago20
39Lou Englert18
40Eric Spanbauer10
41Scott Stedman8
42Mike Converse5

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