Scott Stallings Greenbrier Classic Win Grants Invites to Bridgestone and Masters

Scott Stallings winning playoff putt concluded another thrilling final round at the Greenbrier Classic this year. The win offers him a chance to play at the Bridgestone Invitational and the Masters in 2012. Accomplishments the PGA rookie could never have imagined at the beginning of the year.

Back in 2009, Stallings just wanted the chance to earn a spot on the PGA Tour, let alone win an actual tournament. That year, Stallings missed receiving his PGA Tour card by a single stroke while attending the PGA Tour's Qualifying School. His finish at qualifying school did earn him a spot on the Nationwide Tour though.

That same year, Stallings attended the Masters as a spectator where he found himself inspired to become a better player. Watching professionals compete on the historic course and walking on Augusta's sacred ground can do that.

Inspired and recommitted to his game, Stallings continued his quest for a tour card playing the Nationwide Tour. It was a difficult journey and at the end of 2009 he found himself in 53rd place.

Stallings continued the following year playing on the Nationwide Tour. He ended his 2010 season tied for 11th place—a spot good enough to earn him a PGA Tour card for the 2011 season. Finally, a chance to live out his dream.

Unfortunately, his initiation on the PGA Tour was one he would rather forget. He missed the cut in the first five tournaments he played. Living his dream was off to a rough start.

It wasn't until he played the Transitions Championship this year that he found himself with a real chance at being in contention to win a PGA tournament. Stallings finished in third place.

Today at the Greenbrier Classic, Stallings found himself not only in contention to win, but in a three-way playoff with PGA veterans Bob Estes and Bill Haas.

Stallings won the playoff and adds his name as the second player to win the Greenbrier Classic. He joins last year's winner Stuart Appleby, who shot a 59 in the final round.

Stallings win also earns him a nice parting gift. A check worth $1.08 million. He also moves to 26 on the FedEx Cup points list. This could afford the Massachusetts born native the opportunity to play in front of a hometown crowd during the Deutsche Bank Championship. The tournament will be held just outside Boston.

Next up for Stallings, an invite to play against the best golfers in the world at the Bridgestone Invitational. All in all, not a bad day for a rookie.