[PGA Championship] 'Number 9' Thomas's Comeback Victory "Two Major Trophies"... "Amazing Comeback from 7-Stroke Deficit"

2022 Season Second Major PGA Championship Final Day 3-Under Par Daily Best "2-Under Par in 3 Extra Holes," Zallatoris 2nd Place

Justin Thomas is cheering while hugging the trophy right after winning the PGA Championship. Tulsa, USA=Getty Images/Multivitz Photo by Multivitz

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] It was a dramatic comeback victory for world No. 9 Justin Thomas.

On the 23rd (Korean time), at Southern Hills Golf Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA (par 70, 7,365 yards), the second major of the PGA Tour season, the PGA Championship (total prize money $15 million), Thomas surged to the top of the leaderboard (5-under 285) with a daily best 3-under on the final day, then defeated Will Zalatoris (both from the USA) in a three-hole playoff with 2-under to claim the title. This marked his 15th career win, his first in 1 year and 2 months since The Players Championship, known as the "fifth major," in March last year, with a winner's prize of a whopping $2.7 million (34.37 billion KRW).

Thomas combined 5 birdies and 2 bogeys. After a tentative start with 2 birdies and 2 bogeys on the front nine, he made consecutive birdies on holes 11 and 12 in the back nine, then added a crucial birdie on the 17th hole (par 4) near the end. Most notably, his putting was outstanding, averaging just 1.67 putts per hole. Chilean Mito Pereira, who led by one stroke, suffered a critical blow by hitting his tee shot into the water on the final 18th hole (par 4), resulting in a double bogey and dramatically forcing the playoff.

Pereira is a 27-year-old rookie who advanced to the PGA Tour this year after winning three times on the Korn Ferry Tour (the second-tier tour) last year. He successfully acclimated with a third-place finish among 18 events, and notably caused a stir with a 6-under round on the second day. However, starting the day with a 3-stroke lead, he collapsed with 2 birdies, 5 bogeys, and a double bogey on the 18th hole, failing even to save par on the last hole, dropping to a tie for third place (4-under 276) and missing the playoff.

Justin Thomas (left) is sharing joy with his caddie immediately after winning the PGA Championship. Tulsa, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits

The playoff between Thomas and Zalatoris began on the 13th hole (par 5), where both players made birdies, leading to the 17th hole (par 4) as the decisive hole. Thomas secured a birdie with a 'one-on, two-putt' and sealed the victory by parring the 18th hole. This victory carried special significance as it marked his first major win in five years since 2017. Zalatoris finished second, while Cameron Young (USA) joined in a tie for third. Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) ended up in eighth place (2-under 278).

Jordan Spieth's (USA) attempt to become the sixth "Career Grand Slam" winner in global golf history stopped at a tie for 34th place (4-over 284). He had previously won the Masters and US Open consecutively in April and June 2015, and the Open Championship in July 2017, but this tournament remained an elusive fortress. From Korea, Lee Kyoung-hoon (31), the AT&T Champion, finished tied for 41st (5-over 285), and Kim Si-woo tied for 60th (9-over 289). The "returned golf emperor," Tiger Woods (USA), withdrew after a disastrous third round with 9-over, citing severe leg pain.