Kontak Wins Golf Channel's Big Break: Mesquite

In 2003, Brian Kontak wanted the opportunity to qualify for the United States Women's Open after Annika Sorenstam competed in a PGA Tour event. It never happened. Now, after winning Golf Channel's "Big Break: Mesquite," he will be the one playing in a PGA Tour event.

Kontak, 35, of Phoenix, Ariz., defeated Josh Warthen of Arroyo Grande, Calif., 6 and 4 in the 18-hole match play "Big Break: Mesquite" finale on Tuesday to earn an exemption to the 2008 Mayakoba Golf Classic, February 18-24, on the PGA Tour. In addition, he gained an Adams Golf endorsement contract ¬- which includes $10,000 cash ¬- and both $5,000 and a $5,000 shopping spree from Dick's Sporting Goods. Finally, he won a new 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible.

"I think it's pretty cool," said Kontak. "To come out on top with these great players, man I couldn't be happier."

What Kontak did was school the inexperienced Warthen. Having never trailed during the match, Kontak was 6-up at the turn and closed out the match on the par-4 14th hole on the Palmer Course at the Oasis Golf Club in Mesquite, Nev.

The truth is Kontak has the talent to play on any tour in golf. Besides his victory in "Big Break: Mesquite," he tied for 17th in the 1999 Tucson Open on the PGA Tour and placed fourth in the 1997 Nationwide Tour Permian Basin Charity Golf Classic. He also won the 1999 Canadian Tour Order of Merit, and in 2007 was one of the top players on the Gateway Tour, recording three victories and finishing fourth on the money list.

Not one to shy away from conflict, Kontak has an attitude and a sense of humor that has friends calling him "Brian Conflict."

"If saying what I think all the time makes me a trouble maker, than yeah I guess I'm a trouble maker," said Kontak, a fanatical Ohio State football follower. "I'm not a fan of people who are one way to you and another way behind your back."

That attitude made him a focal point in the argument for gender equity in sports. According to Kontak, what started off as mostly a joke about attempting to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open turned into a story that took on a life of its own. "I wasn't trying to impress anyone, said Kontak. "My whole deal is equality. If we're going to be equal, then let's all be equal. It just got blown way out of proportion. A lot of people misconstrued it as I wanted to play on the LPGA Tour."

Seemingly, his biggest challenge of the series was making it to the set of "Big Break: Mesquite." One month prior to the start of filming, his wife, Karen, gave birth to the couple's second child. He says that being a father and husband ¬- he keeps a picture of his kids in his golf bag ¬- is the most important thing in his life, and considered not playing. In the end, however, he decided the opportunity was too good to pass and competed in the show with his wife's blessing.