IMG Golf Client Jason Dufner Wins First Major Career Title At 2013 PGA Championship

IMG Golf client Jason Dufner captured his first career major title this weekend, winning the 2013 U.S. PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York on Sunday.

Dufner, who equaled the lowest score in major history with a second round 63, carded a closing 68, finishing ten under par to secure his first major title. His play and characteristically calm demeanor in the final round were highly impressive as he secured victory with some magnificent driving and wedge play leading to birdies from four feet at the fourth, and inches on the fifth, eighth and 16th – where his pitch almost spun into the cup.

Having lost in a play-off to Keegan Bradley in this event two years ago, the 36-year-old was elated to secure his first Major triumph after a mixed year which included some ups and downs on the golf course and the birth of the “Dufnering” craze on Twitter. Several months ago, Dufner was captured relaxing as he visited a classroom in Dallas where he was defending his HP Byron Nelson Championship title. Players and fans started to tweet photos of themselves in similar poses, saying they were ’Dufnering’. His awe-inspiring victory last night saw “Dufnering” trending again on Twitter.

Jason Dufner, whose popularity and growing cult following extends far beyond the U.S., said of his landmark victory, "It probably has not sunk in. I can’t believe this is happening to me. To come back from a couple of years ago when I lost in a play-off feels really, really good.”

“I decided that I was going to be confident and put my best foot forward and play aggressively to try to win this thing. I am happy to get the job done and it’s a big step in my career.”

Jason Dufner is managed by Ben Walter out of IMG Golf’s new Florida base in Palm Beach.

Guy Kinnings, Global Head of Golf, IMG, said, “This is a great story for IMG and, in particular for Ben, who single-handedly brought Dufner on board five years ago as his first signing and has guided him throughout his time with us. The Dufner/Walter team is very much a home-grown product that we are proud of and Jason has been an extremely supportive and loyal client who will be key to us worldwide. After the recent successes of IMG’s ladies worldwide and our male clients in Europe this year, this will also prove a real boost for our ever-strengthening golf business in the U.S.”