Video: Charlie Beljan overcomes panic attack to pick up first PGA Tour win

Charlie Beljan ended his rookie season on the PGA Tour in style with a win in the final event of the season at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. Like most first-time winner, the win didn’t come on a silver platter; Beljan had to grind at various points during the week and hold off a couple hard-charging challengers on the back nine.

All of that’s fairly commonplace when you’re going for your first PGA Tour win. But unlike most first-time winners, Beljan had to deal with another major hurdle early in the week that threatened to derail a brilliant start: a panic attack during the second round that put the 28-year-old in the hospital on Friday night.

“I believe that everything happens for a reason, and sometimes days like Friday weren’t very enjoyable, but the score was wonderful, and I think it taught me that it doesn’t matter about your golf swing or your putting stroke,” Beljan said. “I was literally fighting for my life and I just think that you can’t ever give up.”

Despite the setback, Beljan never gave up over the final two days. He returned to the course on Saturday to fire a solid 71, and followed it up on Sunday with a 69 to win by two shots.

With the win, the rookie locked up a two-year PGA Tour exemption and joined Tommy Gainey and Jonas Blixt as the third-first time winner during the Fall Series.

Devil Ball Golf – Golf – Yahoo! Sports