It was all pretty much done after three birdies in his first four holes as Pat Perez picked up his third win on tour and an invite to next year’s Masters.
The 41-year-old won by four over his compatriot Keegan Bradley and he could afford to par his last 10 holes for a 69 – he opened up 66-65-64 on the first three days – and his first victory in almost a year. A few weeks ago the American, who underwent shoulder surgery only last year, played in his first Tour Championship.
“Unreal. I think I’m the last guy that expected to win this week, to be honest with you. I did not think I was going to win this week,” Perez said. “I really can’t explain it, it’s been an amazing 12 months.”
Bradley was round in 67 while Xander Schauffele slipped back with four bogeys to finish in a tie for third alongside South Korea’s Sung Kang.
American Justin Thomas was going for a hat-trick of wins but finished tied for 17th.
Two of Keegan Bradley’s first three wins were a major and a WGC, he was then expected to be one of the dominant forces in the game particularly after his Ryder Cup exploits.
But his last win came in 2012, he wasn’t eligible for Augusta or Birkdale this year and he is now 31.
This was his best result in more than three years, since Bay Hill in 2014, and, for someone who won’t have enjoyed the anchor ban, he finished this week at 20 under.
Last year he said: “It’s tough when somebody says you can’t use one of the best parts of your game. I had thousands of hours of practice taken away from me that I’m trying to gain back. It’s been difficult. You try to master something, then someone takes it away.”
He had slipped down to 120th in the world, now he is around the 65 mark. Maybe 2018 will be a big year for Bradley?
Get a hole-in-one.
Win a car.
Strike a pose. pic.twitter.com/4gC4GPYs45
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 14, 2017
Shot 1: Water
Shot 3: Fairway
Shot 4: Birdie!Gotta love golf. #ShotOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/XWny1ibiOs
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 13, 2017
“I’m not going to change anything. I’m still not going to work out. I’ll still have a bad diet, and I’m going to enjoy myself,” Pat Perez on his plans for the future.
Would you call this pea green? It’s difficult to look your best in the sweat box of Malaysia but here’s Anirban Lahiri rocking this simple yet elegant get-up on his way to a top 10.
The easy thing would be to point the finger at Perez (see main pic) but I’m not a fan of DLIII’s polo here. The cap’s good though. The two-time Ryder Cup skipper is someone you would quickly associate with a stylish appearance but this polo just isn’t doing it for me.
“He got that one a little heavy.” pic.twitter.com/vI2ZurVQzW
— Skratch (@Skratch) October 15, 2017
Perez hits 3-Wood off 18 up 4. Sung Kang hits him with a "nice layup." Immediate legend status.
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) October 15, 2017
When you see the marshal coming … pic.twitter.com/TuzrZ5WXjG
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 14, 2017
Successfully made it to Malaysia with all 3 bags (first birdie of the week) in quick time. Started the timer when I left my house in jup! ?? pic.twitter.com/JF1fQogwhk
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) October 9, 2017
Pat Perez is projected to move into the world top-20 for the 1st time in his career. When he returned from injury last fall, he was 350th.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) October 15, 2017
Been watching and playing golf since the early 80s and generally still stuck in this period. Huge fan of all things Robert Rock, less so white belts. Handicap of 8, fragile mind and short game
By Matt Chivers
By Matt Coles
By Matt Coles
By Matt Coles
By Matt Coles
By Matt Coles
By Matt Coles
