Justin Biwer converts 54-hole lead for two-shot CRMC Championship win, first PGA TOUR Americas victory

Justin Biwer (San Diego, California) birdied Nos. 17 and 18, making at least 15-foot putts both times, to break a tie with Bryan Lee (Fairfax, Virginia) and win by two Sunday at the CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd, Minnesota. With the win, Biwer moved to No. 6 on the PGA TOUR Americas Points List with three events remaining before the top 10 players earn Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2027.

Biwer led by four after the second round and by three after the third round, and he built those leads despite making three double bogeys and one triple bogey. He had a five-shot lead early on Sunday before the big numbers returned – he made double bogey on No. 5 – but rebounded and finished the front nine birdie-birdie-eagle.

Another double bogey on No. 13 was followed by a bogey on No. 16, and suddenly he was tied at 20 under with Lee, who was in the clubhouse after a final-round 5-under 65.

“It was funny, with all the doubles that I've made, it almost feels like it kind of brought me back to reality and calmed me down because it was like, it's not over,” Biwer said of his mindset when he learned he was tied for the lead. “I felt like it just kind of settled me down and basically said to myself like, 'Hey, like still got a couple more holes left.'”

On the par-5 17th, Biwer made a 15-footer for birdie to regain a one-shot cushion heading to the 108-yard, downhill par-3 closing hole. After hitting a wedge to 30 feet, he needed two putts to win. Instead, he made his 34th birdie of the week (in addition to two eagles) to secure his first PGA TOUR Americas win in his ninth start on the tour and 12th start as a pro.

“I feel like I really proved something to myself today, just all the work that I've been putting in,” Biwer said. “I've said that multiple times this week, being able to stay with it every day throughout the round … it's the reason why I'm standing here right now.”

For Lee, the runner-up finish is his best result since turning pro in June. The University of Virginia alum earned membership by finishing No. 17 in the PGA TOUR University Class of 2026, and he is now No. 34 on the points list in only five starts.

In a tie for third at 19 under were Brady McKinlay (Lacombe, Alberta) and Patrick Flavin (Highwood, Illinois), who is No. 3 on the points list. In fifth at 18 under was Corey Pereira (Sacramento, California), the No. 2 player on the points list, while Gunnar Broin (Minnetonka, Minnesota) aced the 18th hole with a sand wedge to cap a final-round 68 and finish T26.

After a week off, PGA TOUR Americas next travels to Victoria, British Columbia, for the Digital Commerce Group Open (Sept. 10-13).