Cole Rueck wins Genesis Invitational Collegiate Showcase in playoff

For the second straight year, it took a playoff to determine a champion at the Genesis Invitational Collegiate Showcase.

Boise State sophomore Cole Rueck made a short birdie putt on the 11th hole at Riviera Country Club on Monday to win the 2024 Collegiate Showcase. With the win, he earned an exemption into the Genesis Scottish Open in July. Normally, winners would receive an exemption into this week’s Genesis Invitational, but since the tournament has become one of the PGA Tour’s signature events in 2024, the exemption is being awarded for the other Genesis-sponsored event on the schedule.

Rueck topped Washington’s Petr Hruby on the second playoff hole. Both players finished their round at even-par 71. The playoff began on Riviera’s par-4 10th hole, where both players carded pars. Each player found the fairway on the 11th, but Hruby’s approach went into the greenside bunker while Rueck came up short. However, Rueck chipped it to seven feet for the win, and he knocked it in.

There were two competitions during the Collegiate Showcase, so the amateur group playing with Hruby secured the team competition and earned a $50,000 donation to the Washington golf program.

Kristopher Stiles, the 2024 Pathway Player, finished eighth in the field of 15 collegiate athletes.

This was the 10th playing of the Collegiate Showcase. It is the first year the Showcase winner earns an exemption into the Genesis Scottish Open. Past winners of the event include Will Zalatoris, Sahith Theegala and Scottie Scheffler.