Trace Crowe captured the 2023 UNC Health Championship presented by STITCH in Raleigh, North Carolina, setting a new 72-hole scoring record by finishing 21-under par 259. His final round 5-under 65 secured his second Korn Ferry Tour title and established him as the standout Trace Crowe Korn Ferry Tour Champion 2023.

Detailed Overview of Crowe’s Tournament Success and Career Highlights

At 28 years old, Crowe, a resident of Raleigh, dominated the event, improving his position with a commanding 5-under 65 in the final round to surpass the previous tournament record of 263, held jointly by Sebastian Cappelen, Mito Pereira, and Stephan Jaeger. This victory marks his second Korn Ferry Tour title, adding to his 2023 NV5 Invitational win.

Crowe has now successfully converted both his 54-hole leads on the Korn Ferry Tour into wins, demonstrating consistency and growth. He achieved a five-stroke margin of victory, tying for the largest lead recorded this season alongside Sudarshan Yellamaraju at The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic and Justin Suh at the Visa Argentina Open. As one of the youngest winners on the Tour this season, Crowe is the 10th under-30 champion in 2025 Korn Ferry Tour events.

This tournament victory represents his fifth consecutive top-25 finish and third top-10 placing in just eight Korn Ferry Tour starts this season, underscoring his positive trajectory. Crowe also holds conditional status on the PGA TOUR for 2025 after finishing 148th in the 2024 FedExCup Fall standings, having earned his PGA TOUR card through a second-place finish at the final stage of the 2023 Q-School presented by Korn Ferry.

Turning professional in 2020, Crowe’s early career included a T91 finish at the final stage of the 2021 Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament. His collegiate record at Auburn University, where he played from 2015 to 2019, features three individual wins and recognition as an All-Southeastern Conference Second Team member twice.

Notable Performances from Other Competitors at the Tournament

Hank Lebioda shared second place after an impressive 9-under 61 round, the second-lowest score in the history of the UNC Health Championship at Raleigh Country Club. This finish marked Lebioda’s sixth top-10 and fourth top-three result in the 2025 season, maintaining his strong position atop the Korn Ferry Tour Points List.

Davis Chatfield also finished tied for second with a 16-under total, marking his second runner-up finish of the season, adding to his burgeoning status with five top-10 results this year despite fewer than 50 career starts before the season began. Meanwhile, four-time PGA TOUR winner Martin Laird recorded a tie for second after a late series of bogeys, marking his best Korn Ferry or PGA TOUR placement since the 2023 3M Open.

Michael Johnson finished fifth at 15-under par, achieving his first top-10 Korn Ferry Tour finish since June 2024 and matching his highest standing in this event since 2018. Additionally, Mark Lawrence Jr. placed tied for 16th and secured entry into the upcoming BMW Charity Pro-Am, advancing through open qualifying rounds to compete at the UNC Health Championship.

The Broader Impact and Future Outlook Following Crowe’s Win

Crowe’s record-breaking victory at the UNC Health Championship emphasizes his rising stature on the Korn Ferry Tour and positions him as a strong prospect moving forward into the 2025 season. His ability to maintain composure and convert leads sets an optimistic example for fellow professionals and golf enthusiasts.

This year’s tour has seen a resurgence in dominant performances, with three victories boasting winning margins of five or more strokes, a trend not seen since 2022. Crowe’s achievement, alongside the consistent presence of players like Lebioda, Chatfield, and Laird, signals a competitive and exciting Korn Ferry Tour season ahead.