Na wins another in Nevada after play-off triumph
Shriners Hospitals for Children Open report: What happened at TPC Summerlin?
Kevin Na became the second two-time champion of this event as he edged out Patrick Cantlay in a sudden-death play-off in Nevada.
The American held the lead going into the final round but had his struggles throughout the day despite setting a new record for the most feet of putts made in a tournament since ShotLink was introduced.
HISTORY for Kevin Na @ShrinersOpen. 😱
The most feet of putts made in one week … ever.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/wDn8VOolhT
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 7, 2019
Through nine holes, Na had a healthy three-shot lead in place and with his hot putter it looked as if he wouldn’t be caught but that soon changed.
A triple-bogey at the 10th quickly dissolved his advantage, bringing Cantlay and other chasers including Pat Perez into the picture.
The drama didn’t stop there, though. While Na appeared to have steadied the ship with birdies at 14 and 15, it fell apart once again when he found the water on 16, gifting Cantlay the lead.
Sunday drama @ShrinersOpen.
Leader Kevin Na finds the water. pic.twitter.com/VHzjcTkwRB
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 6, 2019
His American challenger who won the event in 2017 couldn’t hold onto the lead and found the water himself on the very next hole to send the pair heading up the last in a tie.
Now Patrick Cantlay finds the water while leading.
He's tied with Kevin Na headed to the 72nd hole. pic.twitter.com/PDADAuZLyw
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 6, 2019
The first play-off hole was halved with a pair of fours and when Cantlay made a three-putt on the next, all Na had to do was roll in a four-footer to get his hands back on the trophy.
Celebrating the win with family. 🏆❤️
Kevin Na is the @ShrinersOpen champion! #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/xwHIcWTWwK
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 7, 2019
Kevin Na … doing the Kevin Na.
Walking in playoff birdie putts. 😏#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/yv6uuoqqUh
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 7, 2019
What water?
Kevin Na goes right at it in the playoff.
The crowd is loud @ShrinersOpen.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/ZFrR9I80Go
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 7, 2019
Shriners Hospitals for Children Open report: What the winner said
Kevin Na's winning press conference after claiming @ShrinersOpen in a playoff: 🎙️ https://t.co/qj9HKQXziz
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 7, 2019
Shriners Hospitals for Children Open report: Talking points
Na’s victory brought about its own talking points from a range of different aspects from personal battles to the Presidents Cup.
In his post round interview Na gave an emotional speech in Korean having been born and lived in the country until the age of eight.
According to translations, he said: “To my Korean fans, for always supporting and believing in me despite all the false rumours, I want to say thank you. No matter what anyone said about me, I have been very happy.”
Having endured a seven-year title drought between his first title in 2011 and second in 2018, the American endured some tough times on tour and was as low as 233 in the world rankings at the end of 2013.
Now with three wins in two years, he and his family are is enjoying the rewards of his consistent hard work.
Looking forward to the Presidents Cup, Na is hoping that his good form will see his phone light up.
Captain Tiger Woods will be selecting his picks on the week of November 4, and Na said: “I’m hoping he texts me. If not, I’m going to be texting him.
“During the [FedEx Cup] Playoffs I had the birth of my second child where I missed the BMW Championship. I was injured quite a bit last season. I only played 19 events instead of my usual 26, so that is actually seven short of my normal.
“So I was a little bit behind on the points but I have two wins in this calendar year, so hopefully he’s keeping an eye on me. I could make some putts and I’m a good matchplay player. I keep trying to sell myself so hopefully he considers me.”
Kevin Na's looking at you, Captain @TigerWoods. 🇺🇸
cc: @PresidentsCup pic.twitter.com/SfBeh8a6uD
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 7, 2019
**
Phil Mickelson wasn’t in contention at in Las Vegas as he continued to search for some much needed form.
The American finished the week on 9-under-par, some 13 shots behind the eventual champion Kevin Na.
But he was still able to catch the eye of spectators on Saturday with one of the most typical Mickelson shots.
Having found a bush believed to be off the side of the 9th, Lefty decided that the right shot to play here was with the driver. Yes, the driver.
Turns out, it was actually a wise decision as he got up and down for par on that hole.
Joe Hughes
Tour editor covering men's golf, women's golf and anything else that involves the word golf, really. The talk is far better than the game, but the work has begun to change that.
