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Daniel Summerhays earned a special reward for his stellar PGA Championship finish

July 31, 2016
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SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- Daniel Summerhays is not a well-known commodity, even amongst golf zealots. In 160 career starts, the 32 year old doesn’t have a PGA Tour victory; at one point this year, he stood 155th in the world rankings.

But Summerhays does have two top 10s this season, and both have come at majors. Following an eighth place finish at Oakmont, Summerhays made a late afternoon charge at the 2016 PGA Championship with five birdies in the final seven holes to fire a four-under 66.

“What a thrill,” he said after his fourth round at Baltusrol Golf Club. “I'm still shaking a little bit."

Summerhays climbed the leader board on the back of his flat stick, finishing the week second in Strokes Gained: Putting.

“Just to have a chance to maybe win a major championship was a thrill of a lifetime,” Summerhays said.

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Better yet, the stellar performance earns Summerhays a special reward: a trip to Augusta National next April, as the top four finishers and ties at the PGA Championship gain an invite to the 2017 Masters.

“That's a lifetime dream,” he remarked. “I have got the Augusta theme song memorized. I've got the words and everything. I can here Jim Nantz’s voice in the back of my mind. 'Hello friends, welcome to Augusta National.' It's been a dream."

Don’t be surprised to hear Summerhays’ name in the upcoming weeks: in 2015, he logged top 10s at the Barclays and Deutsche Bank Championship. But for now, Summerhays isn't thinking about the FedEx Cup. He's too busy enjoying the moment.

"Couldn't ask for a better finish," Summerhays said. "I'm going to sleep really well tonight."