Former Hog comes out swinging

Arkansas' Sebastian Cappelen tees off on then 10th hole during the third round of the NCAA college golf championship at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kan., Monday, May 26, 2014. (AP Photo/The Hutchinson News, Travis Morisse)

FAYETTEVILLE -- Sebastian Cappelen couldn't have asked for a better start to his professional career last weekend after finishing the best four-year run in the history of the University of Arkansas golf program.

Cappelen, a four-time All-American and the 2013 SEC individual champion, advanced through Monday qualifying then won the Air Capital Classic in Wichita, Kan., in his first event on the Web.com Tour.

Sebastian Cappelen glance

AGE 24

HOMETOWN Odense, Denmark

COLLEGE Arkansas

STATUS Earned two-year status on Web.com Tour by winning last week’s Air Capital Classic in Wichita, Kan.

EARNINGS $108,000

NOTEWORTHY Won in his pro debut last week. … Became 14th golfer in Web.com history to win in his debut tournament. … First golfer from Denmark to win on the tour. … Shot two rounds of 65 and two rounds of 66 and finished 18 under to beat Mark Weibring by one stroke. … Four-time All-American at Arkansas. … Medalist at the2013 SEC championships.

Cappelen took home the $108,000 check that left him 15th on the tour's money list.

"It gives me so much freedom to just go and worry about playing good golf and not having to worry about making a certain amount of money each week," Capplen said the day after holding off Matt Weibring by one shot at Crestview Country Club. "It's a nice freedom to have, some security for at least a while."

Cappelen's victory came with considerable perks and highlights.

The 24-year-old became the first player from Denmark to win on the tour, and the second in the 25-year history of the tournament to win as a Monday qualifier.

"It's what I dreamt about, coming over here and trying to be the first Danish person to make it over here in America, standing out in any way I can," Cappelen told The Associated Press. "Trying to be the first at something is what I want to do."

Cappelen earned two years of full status on the Web.com tour with the victory, and if he finishes in the top 25 in earnings he'll get an automatic PGA tour card for 2015.

"I'm in a good, comfortable spot and I can kind of plan my year out from here on," Capplen said.

Eleven tournaments remain on the tour's calendar prior to the Web.com Tour Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. With a solid finish to his season, Cappelen could find himself with PGA Tour status in six months.

"It feels great," Cappelen said. "I've got to hang in there. It's easier said than done, I would say, and still a lot of hard work to be done. But if I keep playing like this, I don't see any trouble in the way."

Cappelen will tee off today at the United Leasing Championship in Newburgh, Ind.

Sports on 06/26/2014