Shea McGuire Stands Tall: Flag & Anthem Classic Delivers Season's Most Dramatic Finish Yet

2025 Flag & Anthem Classic Leaderboard

CRYSTAL SPRINGS, OH – In a contest that defied every expectation and carved new legacies, the 7th event of the DGA Tour season, the Flag & Anthem Classic, exploded onto the scene at Crystal Springs Golf Course, proving precisely why this tour is golf's most unpredictable and absolutely compelling journey. The air, thick with humidity, gave way to relentless rain as the first groups teed off, transforming the course into a landscape described by players as soupy, sloshy, and muddy. Yet, the DGA Tour's finest, draped in the very apparel that gave the event its name, battled through the mire, pushing to the very last putt for a conclusion so breathtaking, so utterly dramatic, it will echo through the DGA halls for seasons to come. For Flag & Anthem, this wasn't just another tournament; it was a visceral, mud-splattered testament to grit, style, and the raw passion that fuels this league.

As the final group reached the 18th tee, the skies, which had mercifully ceased their downpour mid-round, seemed to hold their breath. Tied for the lead, a steely-eyed Shea McGuire strode forward, announcing himself teeing off as the Flag and Anthem Classic champion while currently tied with Gianni. Shea unleashed a 300-yard drive that flew right down the middle, a perfect stripe through the heavy air. His approach shot was absolutely dialed, finding the flag stick with a decisive thwack before settling a mere 20 feet away. Two nerveless putts later, a clutch par secured, and Shea McGuire was crowned the Flag & Anthem Classic Champion, finishing at net even par (E) with a gross score of 81. When asked about his thoughts on the 18th tee tied with his playing partner Gianni, he said "There are no windows around. This is my time.". This marks Shea's second career DGA Tour win and his first victory of the current season. In the euphoria of victory, Shea praised his Flag & Anthem polo, calling it "the nicest shirt I've ever owned" and the "difference maker" for his game. He concluded his exceptional round with a season-high 2 birdies and 7 pars.

Sharing the lead with Shea on the 18th tee, Gianni Young ultimately finished tied for second at net +1. Young's performance was a clinic in putting and iron play, a display that silenced any lingering doubt about the legitimacy of his Masters green jacket. Despite battling a wayward driver, he putted like a true professional, dropping multiple 15-20 footers with a swagger that saw him walking them in before they even reached the cup. It was, by all accounts, one of his best performances on tour. Yet, even amidst such high-stakes competition, the DGA Tour's unique brand of rivalry found its moment. On the par-3 14th, with Young tied for the lead, Kyler Messner played a classic misdirection. Asked for the yardage, Messner replied simply, "5 iron." Young, trusting the advice, clubbed up, overshot the green, and bogeyed. Only then did Messner reveal he had actually hit an 8-iron. A frustrated Young was heard lamenting, "Can’t trust anyone on the DGA Tour". Young concluded his round with a season-high 8 pars.

Adding to the family drama, Mike McGuire also finished tied for second, a single stroke behind his triumphant son. In a moment of pure, unadulterated paternal candor, Mike was observed playfully cheering for Shea to falter on the final hole, playfully urging, "I’ve cheered for him his whole life, let dad win this one!". Mike, too, recorded a season-high 8 pars, expertly navigating the demanding course conditions with both humor and steely resilience.

The Flag & Anthem Classic also marked the highly anticipated return of Jamichael Billups. Having been ineligible for points despite remarkable gross scores in previous events, Billups wasted no time in making his presence felt. He fired the lowest gross score of the day, an incredible 75, earning him 6th place and his first points of the season. This performance served as an emphatic declaration to the league: he is still the top dawg and an absolute threat to the top spot, with Billups himself believing he had "left some shots out there". He capped his round with an impressive 4 birdies, the most in the field.

Around the Course: Battles, Breakthroughs, and Bogey Cycles

The leaderboard at Crystal Springs was a tapestry of triumph and tribulation, with each player weaving their own unique narrative into the soggy turf:

• Harry Gilmore: The recent Pine Hill Thrill and Donatos Shootout champion showcased his characteristic resilience. After a brutal start, going +7 through the first four holes, a visibly frustrated Gilmore pushed himself, proclaiming he "need[ed] to dig deep these next couple holes or I’m ending it all". He responded with a phenomenal run, parring the next six holes and playing +4 over the final 14, including back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16, to secure a hard-fought fourth place finish. A gutsy performance out of the shoeless lurch.

• Auston Sorg: Known for his "boom or bust" style, Sorg navigated the challenging course to secure a solid fifth-place finish with a gross 81, net +3. He recorded a season-high 9 pars, battling admirably through the difficult conditions.

• Trevor Monk: The reigning DGA Tour Champion endured a rare rough outing, finishing in last place for the first time this season with a gross 87 (+12 net). Despite a tough front nine (47), Monk showed his champion's resolve, turning it on on the back nine (40), carding 6 of his season-high 9 pars on the latter half. Though a disappointing finish for him, the narrative around Monk remains one of unwavering confidence; his return to contention and defense of his DGA Tour Championship are widely anticipated. Notably, Monk and Jamichael Billups sported matching TGL Boston green polos and rode in the same cart, resembling a "little team".

• Jack Spence: Consistently a top performer and former points leader, Spence struggled to a 10th-place finish (gross 82, net +9), marking his lowest of the season. After the round, he was heard threatening to sell his clubs, clearly frustrated by not meeting his own high expectations. Spence recorded a season-high 10 bogeys in this round.

• Dylan Sharp: In classic Sharp fashion, he experienced a "bogey cycle," recording a quadruple bogey, a bogey, a double bogey, and then a triple bogey in just the first four holes. The raw assessment was that he had no clue what he’s doing with a golf club in hand. Despite recording a season-low 1 par and a season-high 10 bogeys, he managed to tie for 7th at net +7. Sharp had only just recorded his first career birdie at The Masters, but his struggles with blow-up holes continue to be a consistent theme.

• Will Eyman: Eyman finished 9th with a gross 89, net +8. His round included 5 pars, 9 bogeys, 3 doubles, and a triple. He has demonstrated a clear upward trend in his game throughout the season, notably improving his ability to avoid large numbers. Eyman also delivered a heroic 30-foot birdie bomb on the 18th at The Masters, showcasing his clutch play when it matters most. Known for his elite iron work, Eyman continues to prove he's a player who can deliver electrifying moments.

• Kyler Messner: finished tied for 7th after a steady round that included a birdie and 8 pars. A multiple major winner, Messner is widely recognized for his consistent and calm approach, often grinding out pars even in challenging conditions. With his Grand Slam hopes still alive, Messner is now eyeing The Turnberry Showdown as the last major he needs to complete the sweep

Final Thoughts: The Brand That Changed the Game

The 2025 Flag & Anthem Classic delivered everything a DGA major should: chaos, clutch finishes, family rivalries, soaked scorecards, and a defining victory for a first-time champion. But this event was about more than competition. It was about the clothes on their backs.

Thanks to Flag & Anthem, the players looked better than ever. More importantly, they felt better than ever — like pros. Confident. Unified. Elevated. And in Shea McGuire’s case, victorious.

To our apparel partner: thank you for believing in this league, this culture, and this cast of characters. You made July 27th unforgettable.

Now we head into the final stretch. But something tells us the DGA Tour will be seeing a lot more of Shea McGuire

Presented by Flag & Anthem.

Sponsored by Haywood Golf.