Cokrak's '232 Wins 233rd Game' Cheers... "2 Billion Won Jackpot"

CJ Cup Final Day 8-Under Comeback Victory, Schauffele 2nd, Thomas Tied 12th, Kim Siwoo and Rahm Tied 17th

Jason Kokrak is posing with the trophy after achieving his first career victory at the CJ Cup. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] '232 attempts, 233rd success.'

'Power hitter' Jason Kokrak (USA) claimed his first victory on the PGA Tour. On the 19th (Korean time), at the Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada (par 72, 7,634 yards), the final day of the 2020/2021 season The CJ Cup (total prize money $9.75 million), he surged with an 8-under-par round to secure a 2-stroke victory (20-under-par 268). After joining the PGA Tour in 2012, he finally reached the top after a staggering 8 years and 233 tournaments. The winner's prize money was $1,755,000 (approximately 2.01 billion KRW).

Kokrak started from a tie for second place, 3 strokes behind, and showcased flawless play with 8 birdies and no bogeys. He joined the race for the win with his first birdie on the 2nd hole (par 4) and a streak of 4 consecutive birdies from holes 5 to 8, then took the lead with back-to-back birdies on holes 10 and 11. After maintaining par for the next 6 holes, he added a thrilling birdie on the final 18th hole (par 5) with a '2-on 2-putt' to clinch a dramatic come-from-behind victory. His tee shots, iron shots, and putting all clicked perfectly.

His long drives averaged 312 yards, with a fairway hit rate of 85.71% and a greens in regulation rate of 94.44%, which were outstanding. His strokes gained putting was also an impressive 3.567 strokes. "My putting was especially good today," he said, adding, "My family lives here, so I played comfortably as if I were at home." Kokrak is a representative long hitter on the PGA Tour. This year, he ranks 21st in driving distance with an average of 320.3 yards.

Kokrak was born in Ontario, Canada, and started playing golf in the United States. He won the Ohio Amateur Championship in 2006 and 2007, and after securing two wins on the PGA Nationwide Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour) in 2011, he joined the PGA Tour the following year. In his debut year, he finished runner-up at the Price.com Open and had three top-2 finishes. Last season, he maintained his tour card by finishing 59th on the money list with earnings of $1,494,604. This season, he tied for 17th at the US Open and missed the cut last week at the Shriners Children's Open.

Xander Schauffele shot 6 under but settled for 2nd place (18-under-par 270). The previous day's leader Russell Henley (both USA) finished tied for 3rd (17-under-par 271) with Tyrrell Hatton (England). Two-time champion Justin Thomas (USA) tied for 12th (8-under-par 280), world No. 2 Jon Rahm (Spain) tied for 17th (7-under-par 281), and No. 4 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) tied for 21st (6-under-par 282).

Kim Si-woo is teeing off on the 5th hole on the final day of The CJ Cup. Photo by The CJ Cup

Korea's Si-woo Kim (25) shot 3 under to rise to a tie for 17th place, the best among the Korean contingent. Byeong-hoon An (29) tied for 42nd (3-under-par 285), Sung-jae Im (22, both CJ Logistics) tied for 45th (2-under-par 286), Han-byeol Kim (24) tied for 48th (1-under-par 287), and Seong-hyun Kim (22, Golfzon) and Kyung-hoon Lee (29, CJ Logistics) tied for 52nd (1-over-par 289). Next year's tournament is scheduled to be held in October at Haslla Nine Bridges Golf Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province.