Chad Avery wants to be world champion. He wants to be the King. He now has the opportunity to do it. Avery may have finished runner-up at the River City Cornhole Championships, but he left feeling like he won the event.

“King of Cornhole, baby! I got my ticket!”

Because Steve Hayes had already earned a Golden Ticket to the King of Cornhole at the ACO World Championships, Avery was awarded the Golden Ticket as top finisher who had not won a Golden Ticket.

“It feels amazing,” said Avery shortly after he won a Golden Ticket. “This is above and beyond my expectations for myself. I’ve been fighting my nerves all day long and I’ve hung in there.”

Avery did more than hang in there. He beat Steve Hayes enroute to going undefeated in HolePlay.

“He’s a tough one. That’s for sure,” said Hayes. “I think you’ll see him on the circuit before long.”

Avery got knocked out in the winner’s bracket by Hayes, but fought through the loser’s bracket to face Hayes for the fourth time in the finals. The bags didn’t fall in Avery’s favor and Hayes won the match.

“Steve’s a great guy,” said Avery. “ACO has put on a great tournament here at the Metro. I’m a winner whether I win or lose on the books.”