It took three extra holes, but Collin Morikawa won the Workday Charity Open on Sunday afternoon.
Morikawa, after rallying back late in the round, fended off Justin Thomas in an incredible playoff at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio — the first of back-to-back PGA Tour events at Jack Nicklaus’ course.
The win marked Morikawa’s second in his PGA Tour career, and the first of the season for the 23-year-old.
Two wins in just 24 pro starts. 🏆🏆
23-year-old @Collin_Morikawa has won the Workday Charity Open. pic.twitter.com/qNJYEVCXO1
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2020
Thomas slips late
Thomas entered Sunday with a two-shot lead after posting three bogey-free rounds to start the week, including a 6-under 66 on Saturday.
He pushed that lead to three strokes with three holes to go, capping an incredible stretch in which he went 7-under in eight holes with a clutch eagle on No. 15.
EAGLE for @JustinThomas34.
He's taken a 3-shot lead with 3 to play.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/ZpNhIS9qeW
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2020
That, though, is where things went south for the the 12-time Tour winner.
Thomas bogeyed two of his final three holes of the day — including the 18th — to open the door back up for Morikawa.
After climbing back to one-back with a birdie on No. 17, Morikawa snuck in a par putt at the last to force the playoff.
To force a playoff ... Collin Morikawa. 😅 pic.twitter.com/yLqvhafKWC
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2020
Thomas’, Morikawa’s putting magic
The first playoff hole started out rough, with both players missing the fairway when replaying No. 18.
Both Thomas and Morikawa stuck their approach shots on the green, though Thomas’ sat 50 feet from the cup.
That proved to be the perfect distance.
Thomas expertly sank the lengthy birdie putt, sparking a massive celebration on the green.
5️⃣0️⃣ FEET!@JustinThomas34 with an UNBELIEVABLE birdie on the first playoff hole.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/T6iuNZrcxH
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2020
Morikawa, however, remained unphased.
He made his 25-footer with ease, extending the playoff to another hole with a birdie of his own.
WOW.@Collin_Morikawa with a MUST-MAKE putt to extend the playoff.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/RSYdWRI1sA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2020
Thomas nearly holed out his approach on the second playoff hole, too — the pair played No. 18 a second time — and landed his ball just feet from the cup.
His birdie putt for the win pushed just right of the cup, however, which sent both he and Morikawa to a third playoff hole.
Justin Thomas.
Another chance for the win ... pic.twitter.com/oEOeL1f4MM
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2020
Morikawa seals the deal
Thomas’ drive on the third playoff hole — this time on No. 10 — ended up behind a tree.
So, Morikawa made his move.
Morikawa landed his approach on the 462-yard par-4 less than 10 feet from the hole. Thomas had to punch out, and left himself a 14-footer for par.
Morikawa missed his birdie, but it didn’t matter. After Thomas’ failed par putt, Morikawa’s par was enough to give him his second-career win in just 24-starts on Tour.
Another clutch approach from @Collin_Morikawa.
He has 9 feet for birdie.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2020
JT has 14 feet for par.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/dvSP8iqlsG
Morikawa finished the day with a 6-under 66, bringing him to 19-under on the weekend. The Los Angeles native, who already has four top-10 finishes this season, has only missed the cut once in his career — which he did two weeks ago at the Travelers Championship.
Thomas finished the day with a 3-under 69. Viktor Hovland finished in third at 15-under, and Chase Seiffert was one back in fourth.
More from Yahoo Sports:
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Collin Morikawa tops Justin Thomas in wild playoff to win Workday Charity Open - Yahoo Sports"
Post a Comment