Kevin Tway gets maiden win at Safeway Open

What happened at the Safeway Open?

Kevin Tway earned his first PGA Tour victory after seeing off Brandt Snedeker and Ryan Moore – with 14 wins between them – in a play-off at a blustery Silverado.

Tway, son of eight-time PGA Tour winner Bob, lifted the title after holing a 10-foot birdie putt at the par-4 10th, the third extra hole. Snedeker had dropped out on the first play-off hole, the par-5 18th, while Tway and Moore both birdied it second time around.

As the wind swirled around the California course, Tway held his nerve to birdie his last two holes in regulation play for a final-round 71 and force his way into the play-off.

“It was nice to get hot at the end,” Tway said. “I wasn’t really in it on the front nine. Brandt made a couple bogeys starting the back. I was kind of right there, but kind of hanging around. I birdied 17 and 18 to get into the playoff and then kept it going in the playoff – and here I am.”

Snedeker, meanwhile, was left to rue letting a three-shot overnight lead slip. The 37-year-old, who made a 59 en route to winning the Wyndham Championship in August, bogeyed four holes on the back nine to sign for a 74.

“It’s really disappointing,” he said. “I played a really good front nine in tough conditions and made the turn on the back nine and actually drove the ball really well. I had a lot of opportunities, I just hit some really poor iron shots and left myself in places you can’t do it. I didn’t make any putts.”

Moore, meanwhile, was just happy to make the play-off.

“I didn’t even expect to be in this position,” Moore said after birdies at three of the last four holes earned him his spot in the extra holes. “When I finished my round, I really didn’t think there was a chance of this. Golf is funny and it can work its way out sometimes, so this was a bonus.”

Phil Mickelson, just days after his controversial comments about Ryder Cup venue Le Golf National, tied for 17th at 8-under after a 72, while Fred Couples, in his last ever start at a regular PGA Tour event, carded a 75 to tie for 41st at 5-under.

Best quote

Kevin Tway on how his dad, Bob, will have reacted to his maiden PGA Tour title:

I think he’s probably crying to be honest. He always told me I had the talent. I don’t think I believed him until now.

Bob Tway's last PGA TOUR win.
Kevin Tway's first PGA TOUR win.

“I think he’s probably crying to be honest.” — @KevinTway pic.twitter.com/XSuaelmPP3

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 8, 2018

Believe it, @KevinTway.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/H9SZYU8ECb

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 8, 2018

Best moments

That winning feeling…

A moment he'll remember forever.@KevinTway is a PGA TOUR winner. ?#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/xq4naPtRK8

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 8, 2018

The emotional media conference…

First-win emotions. @KevinTway speaks to the media after winning his first TOUR title. https://t.co/g0aFILw5Uc

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 8, 2018

And the obligatory selfie…

Trophy selfies. ?? pic.twitter.com/mD0umJ5rug

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 8, 2018

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Alex Perry

Alex has been the editor of National Club Golfer since 2017. A Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.