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Karl Vilips Shifts Focus to Players Championship After Breakthrough PGA Tour Win

Posted : 13 March 2025

Karl Vilips marked his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Puerto Rico Open with a brief celebration playing Super Smash Bros. before shifting his focus to the prestigious Players Championship. The 23-year-old Australian secured a late invitation to the tournament at TPC Sawgrass, considered golf’s "fifth major," following his triumph in just his fourth tour start.

 

His achievement was further validated by a congratulatory message from Tiger Woods, whose apparel brand he represents, leaving Vilips in awe. "It’s pretty surreal," he admitted, reflecting on the childhood dream of receiving praise from a legend like Woods.

 

Despite being only nine months into his professional career, Vilips has been a familiar name to golf fans for years, earning the online moniker "Koala Karl" due to his Australian roots. Though his accent has faded after spending 12 years in the United States, including four years competing at Stanford University, he remains proud of his heritage.

 

Born in Jakarta, he won gold for Australia at the 2018 Youth Olympics and cites fellow Australians Adam Scott and Jason Day as key inspirations. "They represented Australia well, and I want to fill their shoes someday," Vilips said, adding that he has maintained occasional contact with Day.

 

Both Scott and Day have previously won the Players Championship, but Vilips remains realistic about his chances this week, setting a top-20 finish as his main goal. However, competing at a course near his Jacksonville home, he has not entirely ruled out a surprise victory.

 

 "I'd be pretty surprised," he admitted, acknowledging the need for near-flawless golf to overcome an elite field. While he believes the challenge at Sawgrass will be tougher than in Puerto Rico, he has entertained the idea of winning. "I've thought about it—winning the Players here would be unbelievable," he said.

 

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