'It was just magical': Dearborn's Bowser tied with Tiger at PGA Championship

Detroit — Evan Bowser had a memorable day in his debut Thursday at the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

Bowser, a 29-year-old Dearborn native, shot a one-over 72 after spending most of the day under-par. Bowser started on the back nine and shot a one-under 35.

"It was the greatest day I've ever had on a golf course ever," said Bowser in a text to The Detroit News after he completed his round Thursday evening.

Bowser chipped in from 63-feet on the par-3 14th hole for birdie, and a 28-foot putt on the par-4 17th, highlighting his front nine. Bowser sank a 21-foot chip on the 10th hole to salvage bogey.

"I chipped in twice in my first nine holes and the gallery erupted for me," Bowser said. "It was just magical."

A double-bogey on the second hole put him over-par, but a birdie on the fourth hole got Bowser back to even before a bogey on the fifth put him one-over par.

Bowser was pleased overall with the round. He's tied with Tiger Woods for 85th place at one-over par.

"I played great except for a slow start and a bad drive which was my 11th hole (second hole)," Bowser said.

Bowser graduated from Dearborn High School where he was an all-state golfer before playing collegiately at Oakland where he won the Horizon League championship in 2015. Bowser ended his Oakland career as the program’s leader in stroke average (73.58) and number of rounds under-par (29).

Bowser played in 34 tournaments on the PGA Tour Canada from 2017-19.

Currently living in Naples, Florida, Bowser is the assistant pro at LaPlaya Golf Club. Bowser was one of 21 PGA professionals who earned their way into the field after taking eighth place at the PGA Professional Championship earlier this month.

"I'm just enjoying this experience and having fun," Bowser said. "If I play good tomorrow (Friday) then that's even better."

Evan’s sister Elayna, who was the 2015 Miss Golf while at Dearborn and played collegiately at Loyola of Chicago, was her brother’s caddie. Elayna won the Michigan Women’s Amateur in 2019. The two Bowsers are often each other’s caddie at larger tournaments.

tkulfan@detroitnews.com

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