June 18, 2018

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Chris Price knows he's probably not the Carl Spackler Open champion every golf fan would have wanted. But the controversial Virginian won't let that take the shine off his first major triumph, secured Saturday after the challenges of Brandon Carmean and Ken Ward.

"Honestly, it doesn't really concern me," the 37-year-old, who finished with 196 points for the tournament, told CNN Sport's Sammy Riddell. "I am who I am."

"You know that once you're successful, there's going to be good things and bad things that people say and, honestly, to me it doesn't really matter. I am now a major champion and the appearance fees alone in Roanoke will be worth it."

A large amount of the patrons who never lined the course at Legends Golf Resort missed a nail biter that ended with a 1-point win. The support Chris received from his peers after the new moonshine laws went into effect not only kept his chin up, but enabled him to focus on the National Championship.

Price is far from a fierce competitor who reached deep into his heart and cooler to fuel his challenge for the right to wear the tournament's Golden Jacket.

"I walked up to the first tee and had a really welcoming cheer from fellow competitors, but then when Kevin walked up to the tee, you know, his welcome was a little louder," he said. "But that's another thing that just kind of played into my hands. Not only did it fuel my fire a little bit, but also it just takes the pressure off of me and adds it back to him." Kevin Long never materialized and collapsed early.

Chris was awarded the Golden Jacket by 2017 winner Kess McLennan of Michigan who placed 11th in a large field in South Carolina.

"I really haven't come off cloud nine yet," said Price. "To actually finally be sitting down and have my first major be the Golden Jacket, and to be able to sit here wearing it, it's a surreal moment for me and it's something that I'll never forget. It kind of makes me hungry to get back out there and try to win another."

Ken Ward, from Ohio, who gave chase to Price finished the 54th hole one-point short. "One swing," said Ward after the tournament. "One long putt down the stretch was all there was between me and the trophy. Its something that I will haunt me for eternity." Ward finished his final round on Parkland with 70 points.

Fellow Virginian Brandon Carmean also gave chase, but never got it going on the front nine of Round 3. The lack of a birdie on the front nine dropped him on the Leaderboard to a spot difficult to compete for the win.

Another exciting finish was for last place. The 2016 Champion Marty Whalen escaped the Carl Spackler Outfit by a single point. Brandon Tompkins continued to struggle all week, but as the courses got easier and players began to score... Brandon struggled scoring only 10 points including 4 straight zeros and no long putts on the final 9 holes sinking his chances to take 87th place.

The 2018 Carl Spackler Open is in the history books with eyes on 2019. Tournament officials are evaluating courses in Maryland, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and North Carolina.