Emily Talley Nearly Wins Big Break Invitational

Former CU Buffalo Earns Another $50,000 Payday

Chris Duthie

Congratulations to former University of Colorado Buffalo Emily Talley, who finished a close second at the inaugural Big Break Invitational, played last week at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga. Won by Jay Woodson who shot a closing 68 and won the $100,000 first-prize title, the event was contested head-to-head by 20 men and 20 women over four days of competition.

“I am pretty proud of myself,” said Talley, 24, who carded a three-under 69 the final day and earned $50,000, which matched her biggest payday ever.

“I was actually leading the tournament after the 16^th, but I hit a bad shot at the (par-3) 17^th and scored a double bogey,” she recalled. “On 18, I knew I needed a birdie because I didn’t want to go into a playoff against Jay Woodson or Tommy Gainey, who has actually won on the PGA Tour.

“I was thinking, ‘This putt is worth $50,000.’ It was a big pressure putt, and I was pumped that I actually made it.”

So pumped, in fact, she jumped for joy into the arms of caddie and boyfriend Andreas Hoye, delighting the gallery and viewers of the live Golf Channel broadcast — watch it here!

“I’ve made a total of about $46,500 [of official money] in my professional career, so making $50,000 in one weekend makes an impact, a big difference,” she said. “That’s a one-year salary for the average person, so it’s pretty awesome, something I can’t even comprehend right now.”

Talley’s burgeoning golf resume includes seven top-10 finishes on the Symetra Tour; placing fifth in the 2014 Colorado Women’s Open after leading the tournament going into the final round; winning the 2013 Big Break All-Star NFL; amateur titlist of the 2012 Norgescup (Norway) and 2012 California Women’s Amateur; and earning NCAA Honorable Mention All-America and University of Colorado Athlete of the Year (2012).

Big Break Invitational results:

RELATED LINKS

Talley Takes One-Shot Lead at Colorado Women’s Open

Talley Wins Big Break All-Star NFL

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Chris Duthie is a contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.