Leading by one at the start of the final round, Mason Greene (Tustin, California) birdied his first five holes Sunday at the Rio Olympic Golf Course en route to a 4-under 67 and a two-stroke victory at the 71st ECP Brazil Open, the first event of the 2026 PGA TOUR Americas season.
Greene played five seasons at UCLA (2019-24), but said in a video on his Instagram that he considered quitting the game midway through his collegiate career. On September 18, 2022, during his junior year, he wrote a note on his phone that he still has pinned to the top: “Never give up on something you believe in.”
“September 18, 2022, was probably the lowest point in my golf career and to this point this is the highest I’ve ever been,” Greene said Sunday after his win.
“There’s a long road ahead to get to where I want to, but PGA TOUR Americas is a phenomenal steppingstone and just super grateful for the opportunity to be out here.”
Less than four years after writing that note, Greene earned PGA TOUR Americas membership via Q-School two weeks ago, surviving a 4-for-3 playoff to secure one of the last cards.
This week during his PGA TOUR Americas debut, he converted the solo second- and third-round leads into his first win, and he’s the early points leader in the season-long race for 10 Korn Ferry Tour cards for 2027.
“I’m glad I wrote that note now because it’s kind of just always a good reminder to keep pushing,” Greene said.
“Life is going to be tough and it’s going to knock you down, but as long as you keep getting back up at the end of the day, if you believe in yourself enough, this is possible, and I did it.”
Brett Roberts (Coral Springs, Florida) closed with a bogey-free 66 and finished runner-up, his third top-five finish on PGA TOUR Americas since the start of last season, while five players tied for third.
Next week, PGA TOUR Americas travels to Cordoba, Argentina, for the 94 Abierto del Centro Zurich presentado por Personal (April 23-26).
