Pinau Wins Consecutive Victory "Instantly PO Ranking No.1"... Ram 3rd "Typhoon Is Unfortunate"

'PO Round 1' The Northern Trust Final Day: Smith Defeated on First Extra Hole, Korea's Im Sung-jae Tied 16th

Tony Finau is cheering while holding the trophy right after winning the 'PO Game 1' The Northern Trust. Jersey City, USA = Getty Images / MultiVitz

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "PO ranking from 23rd → 1st."

It is Tony Finau's (USA) ‘playoff victory’. On the 24th (Korean time) at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA (par 71, 7,410 yards), the final day of the PGA Tour ‘Playoff (PO) Round 1’ The Northern Trust (total prize money $9.5 million), Finau rallied with a 6-under-par performance to tie for the lead (20-under-par 264) with Cameron Smith (Australia), then secured the ‘winning par’ on the first hole of the playoff at the 18th hole (par 4).

Finau is the player who earned his first victory at the Puerto Rico Open in March 2016. Interestingly, he has finished runner-up eight times since then. This year as well, he was a joint 2nd at the Farmers Open in January and 2nd at the Genesis Invitational in February, which was frustrating. However, this time, after competing for the win throughout all four rounds, he reached his second career victory after 5 years and 5 months. The winner's prize money was a whopping $1.71 million (2 billion KRW), along with the spoils of being PO No. 1.

Tony Finau is making a greenside bunker shot on the 18th hole during the final day of the Northern Trust Playoffs Round 1. Jersey City, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz

Starting from a tie for 4th place, 2 strokes behind, Finau recorded 1 eagle, 5 birdies, and 1 bogey. His late surge stood out, especially birdies on the 12th hole (par 4), an eagle with a ‘2-on 1-putt’ on the 13th hole (par 5), and a birdie on the 14th hole (par 4). He added a birdie on the 16th hole (par 4), and on the final 18th hole (par 4), although his second shot landed in the greenside bunker, he managed a crucial ‘par save’. The playoff ended abruptly with Smith’s tee shot going out of bounds (OB).

Smith finished 2nd, and the effect of his course record 60 (-11) on the third day disappeared. Jon Rahm (Spain), world No. 1 who dominated the top of the leaderboard for three days, faltered with a 2-under-par round and stayed in 3rd place (18-under-par 266). His tee shots on the 15th and 18th holes landed in fairway bunkers, resulting in bogeys. It was regrettable that the originally scheduled final 4th round on the 23rd was postponed by a day due to Typhoon Henry. For now, he was satisfied with moving up to ‘PO 2nd place’.

Justin Thomas tied for 4th place (15-under-par 269), and Xander Schauffele (both USA), ‘Tokyo Olympics Gold Medalist’, stood at tied 16th place (11-under-par 273). South Korea’s Im Sung-jae (23) joined this group. His PO ranking rose from 31st to 25th, putting him in sight of the final 3rd round Tour Championship ticket, which only 30 players qualify for. Lee Kyoung-hoon (30, both CJ Logistics) tied for 47th place (6-under-par 278). The PO continues with the 2nd round BMW Championship on the night of the 26th.

World No.1 Jon Rahm is disappointed after missing a par putt on the 15th hole during the final day of the Northern Trust Playoffs Round 1. Jersey City, USA = Getty Images / Multibits