New Zealand’s Campbell Grayson lifted the largest PSA title of his career, the $30,000 Men’s Northwestern Mutual Life Time Houston Open, August 11, at Life Time City Center in Texas.
Grayson, who is based in New York City, marked his sixth career appearance in the Houston Open with his second title in Texas having previously won the title in his 2013 debut–both times as the three seed–when the prize purse was $10,000.
Grayson’s breakthrough result of the tournament came in the semifinals against Australian rival and top seed Ryan Cuskelly, who Grayson took down 11-5, 11-7, 3-11, 8-11, 11-5 in ninety-five minutes. The world No. 43 kiwi moved on to the final to face Scotland’s four seed Alan Clyne. Another marathon match ensued as Grayson endured eighty minutes to lift the title 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7.
“I’d been in the semis and finals of a few tournaments this big, but hadn’t won one,” Grayson said. “I’m stoked to win it, Alan is always tough and also to have beaten Ryan as well. I used good tactics to win that one. Winning this title has been great to start the season along with earlier in the year taking out the Irish Open and I did well at the British Open too, although I was a bit angry at the way I played in the Nationals final against Paul Coll and thought I could have offered more in that match.”
The Houston Open celebrated its eleventh edition since its first in 2004.