LOS ANGELES – Marcus Byrd was running on adrenaline, so you could forgive him for not realizing he had recorded a major milestone on the APGA Tour.
Byrd secured his 10th career Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour win on Wednesday, shooting 63-64—-127 (13-under par) and edging defending champion Kamaiu Johnson by two strokes in the APGA Juneteenth Classic at historic Chester Washington Golf Course.
Having endured a brutal stretch of travel getting to Los Angeles after playing in a PGA TOUR Americas event last week in Colombia, he was short on sleep and had to be reminded by reporters that he had reached double digits in APGA Tour victories.
“I didn’t even know it was 10,” Byrd said with a smile. “It’s just hard work, dedication, trying to get better each and every day. I’ve been staying patient and staying the course. The support from my sponsors, friends and family plays a huge role in where I am today, so I’m super appreciative for that.”
Byrd, the APGA’s 2025 Jeff Dailey Player of the Year, finished last season with a victory and opened the 2026 campaign with a win at the APGA Farmers Insurance Invitational about a hundred miles down the road at Torrey Pines.
His victory this week earned him an $8,000 first-place prize from a $25,000 purse and 500 points in the APGA’s Jeff Dailey standings and Cisco Cup Series standings.
Byrd held a one-stroke lead Tuesday after Round 1 over Kamaiu Johnson, Chase Johnson and Joey Stills thanks to a nearly flawless round that saw his only bogey come on the par-4 fourth hole. Wednesday, he withstood a charge from those three players plus Enrique Dimayuga and Jonathan Yoshihiro of nearby Yorba Linda, California. Byrd’s final-round scorecard was flawless, and he cemented the victory with birdies on four of the final five holes.
“It’s pretty special (to win the APGA Juneteenth Classic),” Byrd said. “They do a great job with this event. It’s a special event for this tour and has been here for a long time, and I’m honored to be able to put my name on the trophy.”
The Washington, D.C. native played in 14 PGA TOUR Americas events and secured three top-10 finishes last season in addition to his success on the APGA Tour. This season, he has three top-25 PGA TOUR Americas finishes in addition to his two victories and two other top-10s on the APGA Tour.
He said that winning on a course like Chester Washington, the home of Charlie Sifford, one of the first Black golfers on the PGA TOUR, carries plenty of significance for him.
“I grew up at a course in Washington, D.C, at Langston, and these two courses have a very similar history. Any time you get a chance to play on a golf course that’s so significant in Black history, I think it’s a special place.”
The APGA Juneteenth Classic featured a Monday pro-am with a reception and silent auction supporting the APGA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering underserved youth through golf, education and wellness.
The APGA Foundation hosted a Wednesday youth golf clinic where APGA Tour pros led practice sessions on the driving range and gave lessons on chipping and putting. Kids played in a virtual golf simulator, participated in a seminar on college readiness led by APGA Foundation board member Charles Alexander and received a free dental exam (courtesy of USC).
Among those participating in the youth clinic were kids representing Southern California organizations such as The First Tee of Los Angeles, Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach, Jack & Jill of America (Los Angeles Chapter), The Inland Golf Academy and Tee Divas Tee Dudes.
Founded in 2010, the Advocates Professional Golf Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring an inclusive future through the game of golf. The APGA Tour tees up the seventh event of its 2026 season at the APGA at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois from July 13-16. The season runs through November with 12 tournaments from coast to coast.
About the APGA Tour
The APGA Tour was established in 2010 as a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring an inclusive future through the game of golf. The APGA Tour Board of Directors works diligently to accomplish this by hosting and operating professional golf tournaments, player development programs, mentoring programs, and by introducing the game to inner city young people. In addition to conducting 12 tournaments awarding more than $1 million in prize and bonus money in 2026, the APGA has organized a Player Development Program to aid golfers as they work to chase their professional golf goals.
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