EAST GULL LAKES — For the first time in four years, the CRMC Championship ended in a playoff.
Michael Brennan of Leesburg, Virginia, held off Derek Hitchner in the one-hole playoff despite a terrible drive on the par-5 18th hole. Brennan’s second shot, a 6-iron, strayed right and into thick rough, but it turned out to be better than Hitchner’s, who, despite a good drive, landed his second in the small pond fronting the green.
Brennan’s third shot nestled in nicely by the hole and he two-putted for par to top Hitchner by one stroke and win his second PGA Tour Americas event of the year.
“I felt I did a very good job of staying composed and committing to the shots that I hit,” Brennan said. “I got a little out of rhythm in the playoff for sure, certainly, but it’s not unique to me. That’s what my dad always told me when I talked to him about it, ‘Oh, I was so nervous.’ Like you’re not the only one that’s feeling that. Everyone else is feeling that too. Just trying to stay in it as best we can, and it’s tough. I kind of got a little side‑tracked in the playoff, but just glad I was able to get it done.”
Golfer Michael Brennan eyes the green before putting on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Hitchner opened the fourth and final round Sunday, Aug. 31, at Cragun’s Legacy Courses with the lead after shooting 63, 62 and 66 in the opening rounds. Brennan was four shots back to start the round, but a 4-under 32 on the front nine, including a birdie 2 on the seventh, where Hitchner recorded his only bogey of the tournament, jumped him to within two of the lead.
Brennan birdied 10, 12, 14 and 16 to take a one-stroke lead going into the 72nd hole.
1/66: Golfer Michael Brennan and Derek Hitchner putting on the 18th hole, resulting in a tie, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
2/66: Golfer Andrew Israelson competes during round four on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
3/66: Golfer Andrew Israelson competes during round four on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
4/66: Golfer Andrew Israelson competes during round four on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
5/66: Golfer Andrew Israelson competes during round four on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
6/66: Golfer Andrew Israelson competes during round four on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
7/66: Golfer Michael Brennan holds up the Paul Bunyan Axe Trophy he won as the crowd cheers on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the close of the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
8/66: Golfer Michael Brennan holds up the Paul Bunyan Axe Trophy he won as the crowd cheers on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the close of the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
9/66: Golfer Michael Brennan holds up the Paul Bunyan Axe Trophy he won as the crowd cheers on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the close of the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
10/66: Golfer Michael Brennan holds up the Paul Bunyan Axe Trophy he won as the crowd cheers on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the close of the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
11/66: Golfer Michael Brennan reacts on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the close of the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
12/66: Golfer Michael Brennan reacts on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the close of the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
13/66: Golfer Michael Brennan eyes the green before putting on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
14/66: Golfer Michael Brennan eyes the green before putting on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
15/66: Golfer Michael Brennan tees off on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
16/66: Golfer Michael Brennan watches the ball after teeing off on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
17/66: Golfer Derek Hitchner competes on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
18/66: Golfer Derek Hitchner competes on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
19/66: Golfer Derek Hitchner competes on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
20/66: Golfer Derek Hitchner reacts after hitting the ball into the water on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
21/66: Golfers Derek Hitchner and Michael Brennan tie up the score on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
22/66: Golfer Derek Hitchner competes on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
23/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
24/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
25/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
26/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
27/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
28/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
29/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
30/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
31/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
32/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
33/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
34/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
35/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
36/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
37/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
38/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
39/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
40/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
41/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
42/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
43/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
44/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
45/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
46/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
47/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
48/66: Golfing on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
49/66: People watch golf on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
50/66: People watch golf on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
51/66: People watch golf on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
52/66: Golf Luke Gannon putts the ball on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
53/66: Golfer Drew Nesbitt tees off on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
54/66: Andrew Israelson hands off a club after teeing off on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
55/66: Andrew Israelson tee off on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
56/66: Golfers putt in on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
57/66: The trophy and axe sit outside by the clubhouse on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
58/66: Golfer Matthew Manganello tees off on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
59/66: Spectators watch Staples native Andrew Israelson play on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, during the opening round of the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
60/66: Spectators watch Staples native Andrew Israelson play on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, during the opening round of the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
61/66: Andrew Israelson looks over the green before putting on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
62/66: Andrew Israelson tees off during the first round on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
63/66: Andrew Israelson tees off during the first round on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
64/66: Andrew Israelson watches the ball after teeing off during the first round on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
65/66: Derek Hitchner tees off from the 10th hole by the clubhouse during round one on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
66/66: Spectators watch Staples native Andrew Israelson play on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, during the opening round of the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Brennan settled for a par, while Hitchner drained his birdie putt to force the playoff.
“I think it’s more experience,” Brennan said. “You know, with the lead, around the lead, I felt comfortable for the most part today. I kind of knew I was going to make some birdies. I’ve been playing good, I felt like I’ve been rolling the ball well on the greens. Just trying to stay patient. I mean, Derek played a really clean round; he only made one bogey… It’s tough playing against someone that you know is not going to really make too many mistakes.”
The victory put $40,500 in Brennan’s pocket and added 500 points to his Fortinet Cup points lead.
Golfer Michael Brennan reacts on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the close of the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Staples-Moltey High School and North Dakota State University graduate Andrew Israelson enjoyed a fruitful weekend. Israelson fired a 6-under 65 Sunday to finish with a 16-under 183 to tie for 28th. He was 10 strokes off the leaders, but was pleased with his play.
“Honestly, I thought if I played my game, I could win this,” Israelson said. “I really believed that. Before, when I got into this tournament, when it was part of the Canadian Tour, I felt uncomfortable. Even now, when I tee it up with some really good players, I need to remind myself that I’m just as good as any of them here. Sometimes it’s more of a confidence thing and you need to pinch yourself and say, ‘Don’t get lost in the moment. Stay in the moment, but don’t get lost in it.’ Sometimes that will happen to you. You just have to know you belong.”
Golfer Andrew Israelson competes during round four on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Israelson posted a 3-under 33 on the front nine with birdies on five, eight and nine. He made it three straight with a birdie on 10. A bogey on the par 4 13th, sidetracked his ground, but he rattled off three birdies on the five remaining holes to close strong.
“I think my game has gradually gotten better every year since I turned pro,” Israelson said. “Even every year since I graduated. I don’t feel like I step back very often. Even on today’s round. I started playing really nicely. I hit a great drive on 13. On 12, I missed a short putt for birdie. That stung a little bit. I drove it great on 13 and then I just made a boneheaded three-putt on 13. But then I dropped a bomb on 14. That’s kind of been my game. I tend to bounce back a little bit better. The bad shots or bad holes drive me a little more.”
Golfer Andrew Israelson competes during round four on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
On 18, after a good drive, Israelson smoked his second shot onto the green in front of former high school teammates and long-time friends. His caddy, Mike Higgins, and he laughed, saying his fans didn’t drive a half hour to see him lay up.
“I don’t think it was advice from the crowd, but I just felt like, ‘All right. Let’s send it.’ These people didn’t drive the 25 miles to see me not go after a couple of shots. I’d say that was the biggest pressure out of the whole week. You had 20, 30, 40 people out there watching you. I wanted to put on a bit of a show. I didn’t just want to make a bunch of pars.”
Fellow Minnesotan Carson Herron also enjoyed the four rounds at Cragun’s. Herron fired a 68 Sunday for a 19-under 265 to tie for 11th.
Golfer Andrew Israelson competes during round four on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, during the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Golfer Michael Brennan holds up the Paul Bunyan Axe Trophy he won as the crowd cheers on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the close of the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Golfer Michael Brennan holds up the Paul Bunyan Axe Trophy he won as the crowd cheers on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the close of the PGA Tour Americas CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
