Final Day of Zozo Championship: 7-Under Daily Best 'Comeback', Rahm and Thomas Tied for 2nd, Woods Tied for 72nd
Patrick Cantlay is cheering while holding the trophy immediately after winning the Zozo Championship. Thousand Oaks, California, USA = Getty Images / Multibits
[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] 'A specialist in finishing strong.'
Patrick Cantlay (USA) achieved a dramatic come-from-behind victory. On the 26th (Korean time), at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California (par 72, 7,006 yards), the final day of the PGA Tour's Zozo Championship (total prize money $8 million), he surged with a 7-under-par round to clinch a one-stroke victory (23-under-par 265). This marks his third career win after 1 year and 4 months since the Memorial Tournament in June last year, with a winner's prize of $1.44 million (16.3 billion KRW).
Cantlay started tied for 4th place, 3 strokes behind, and combined 9 birdies with 2 bogeys. He opened the scoring early with consecutive birdies on holes 1 and 2, followed by 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 4 and 6. A bogey on hole 8 (par 3) was quickly recovered with a birdie on hole 9 (par 4). In the back nine, he birdied hole 11 (par 5) and swept three consecutive birdies from holes 13 to 15. Although a bogey on hole 16 (par 5) was disappointing, he managed to maintain a one-stroke lead. Most notably, his 'stingy putting' averaged just 1.31 putts per hole.
It is interesting that all three of Cantlay's career wins have come from come-from-behind efforts. In November 2017, during the final day of the 2018 season's Shriner's Children's Open, he shot 4-under-par to secure his first PGA Tour victory. Last year at the Memorial Tournament, he started the final round tied for 3rd, 4 strokes behind, and fired an 8-under-par daily best. He commented, "Today, all my shots were good, especially the putting went exactly as I intended."
World No. 2 Jon Rahm (Spain) and No. 3 Justin Thomas (USA) tied for 2nd place (22-under-par 266). Rahm was left disappointed as his 5.8-meter birdie putt on the 18th hole just grazed the hole, missing the chance for a playoff. 'The CJ Cup champion' Jason Kokrak (USA) and Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) tied for 17th place (15-under-par 273). An Byeong-hun (29) finished tied for 35th (12-under-par 276), and Im Sung-jae (22, CJ Logistics) tied for 41st (11-under-par 277).
Tiger Woods is examining the putting line on the 18th hole of the final day at the Zozo Championship. Thousand Oaks, California, USA = Getty Images / Photo by Multibits
The 'returning golf emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) ended his challenge for the PGA Tour record for most wins (83 wins) bitterly tied for 72nd place (1-under-par 287). He started unsteadily with a 4-over-par on the first day, improved the mood with a 6-under-par on the second day, but his rollercoaster play was halted with 1-under-par on the third day and 2-over-par on this day. He struggled with inconsistent iron shots. His greens in regulation rate was 66.67%, and he averaged 1.73 putts per hole.
What is rather ironic for Woods is that Sherwood is considered his 'winning stronghold.' He has played the Hero World Challenge, a prestigious event hosted by the Tiger Woods Foundation, 14 times, winning five times in 2001, 2004, 2006-2007, and 2011. He remarked, "Jack Nicklaus-designed courses require precise iron shots," showing his appetite for accuracy. With the Masters Tournament title defense starting on the 12th of next month, he urgently needs to fine-tune his competitive shot sense.
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