Tim O’Neal captured the most significant victory of his career by winning the 2024 Dominion Energy Charity Classic on the PGA Tour Champions. Although O’Neal, 52, had previously secured three wins on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica circuit, his last victory came eight years ago, and he never found success on the Korn Ferry or PGA Tours. This win marked his 50th start on the Champions circuit and served as the opening event of the three-leg Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs.
Entering the event ranked 55th in the points standings, O’Neal needed to break into the top 54 to advance to the next round. His timely victory catapulted him well into contention. O’Neal finished with a 13-under total at The Country Club of Virginia, securing a two-shot win over Carlos Gonzalez.
O’Neal began the tournament with a 1-under 71, followed by an impressive 5-under 67 on Saturday. He closed on Sunday with a remarkable 7-under 65, highlighted by a front-nine 32. After a birdie on the 10th, he navigated five consecutive pars before a pivotal birdie on the par-5 16th, despite hitting his tee shot into a bunker. On the par-5 18th, O’Neal repeated his bunker success, making another birdie to finish at 13-under. Gonzalez, needing an eagle on the last hole to force a playoff, came up short.
David Bransdon finished in third at 9 under, while Tim Petrovic took solo fourth at 8 under. Ernie Els, the points leader, finished tied for 20th. O’Neal’s victory moved him from 55th to 13th in the standings, allowing him to advance to the Simmons Bank Championship in Little Rock. Unfortunately, Chris DiMarco, Kirk Triplett, and Angel Cabrera fell out of the top 54, ending their 2024 seasons.
