The Slam: Bonkers PGA Tour finale ends with one of the most expensive putts of all time
Hello. Well, that was fun, wasn’t it? The (regular) PGA Tour season concluded at the Wyndham Championship – the final shot at getting into the top 125 of the FedEx Cup standings and a spot in next week’s Play-offs – and there was an utterly bonkers finish at both ends.
Let’s start at the top.
There was a PGA Tour record-equalling six-man play-off at Sedgefield, with Adam Scott, Branden Grace, Si Woo Kim, Roger Sloan and Kevins Na and Kisner all finishing at 15-under.
Spare a thought for a Russell Henley who had led from the outset in North Carolina before missing a couple of short ones coming home on Sunday – including a four-footer at 18 that would have made him the seventh man in the play-off.
It also means Phil Mickelson – at the PGA Championship – was the last player to convert a 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour. How long ago does that feel?
As it was the sixball headed back down 18, and it looked like the sudden death would be over at the first attempt when Scott stiffed his approach only to miss a tiddler up the hill.
Back to the 18th tee and this time it was Kisner who was all over the flag with his second. He made no mistake and it’s a fourth PGA Tour for Kis, and a first after extra holes having gone nought-for-five in previous attempts.
- RELATED: What’s in Kevin Kisner’s bag?
Now, the juicy stuff…
The battle to make it into the top 125 is always an absolute treat – and this year was no different. Not only does it mean a spot in the first of the three FedEx Cup Play-offs – which start next week at the Northern Trust, but, for many, it’s about securing a PGA Tour card for another year.
Step forward, 132nd-placed Chesson Hadley.
Hadley, starting at the 10th as tee times were moved up to avoid impending storms, went out in a 29 that included five birdies, a bogey, and this hole-in-one…
Centre cup! And a celebration to match.
Hadley went on to birdie the 6th and 9th – his 15th and 18th – for a 62 and the spot no one wants – an agonising projection of finishing 126th in the FedEx Cup.
Meanwhile, one player who doesn’t have to worry about his livelihood is Justin Rose. Although he has been struggling in the season-long standings this year, it looked like he would sneak in with a top-10 finish at the Wyndham.
Then this happened…
The drama! Inject it into my veins!
The bogey saw Hadley in the 125 by a single point as Rose fell to 126. And of course that putt meant a lot, but if Hadley doesn’t make that ace he doesn’t play in the post-season. Absolute lunacy from start to finish.
And look what it meant to Hadley. (Warning: Emotional content.)
Lovely stuff. See you in Boston, Chess.
Whistling woe?
Rose is a way off from qualifying for the Ryder Cup, and even victory at the BMW PGA Championship might not get him in. So will he miss out?
Nope. Not a chance.
Can you really see captain Padraig Harrington going with anyone other than Rose, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia as his three picks? The trio have won a million Ryder Cup points between them. They’ll be on the plane.
If you disagree, I’d love to hear from you.
Ryann has the O’Tooles!
Ryann O’Toole has competed in 228 events in 11 seasons on the LPGA and Ladies European Tour – and the Californian finally has her first win.
O’Toole carded a final-round 64 at the stunning Dumbarnie Links to finish at 17-under, three clear of Lydia Ko and Atthaya Thitikul, and lift the Women’s Scottish Open.
London calling for Hill
After seeing his mate Grant Forrest break his European Tour duck at Fairmont St Andrews last week, Calum Hill was keen to not be left behind.
The 26-year-old held on for a one-shot victory at the Cazoo Classic – formerly the English Open – at London Golf Club in Kent.
It’s the first time for nine years that Scottish players have won back-to-back on tour. Here are some highlights…
- RELATED: What’s in Calum Hill’s bag?
And finally…
Doug Barron won the Shaw Classic on the Champions Tour – and I’m sharing this video for no reason other than it’s an all time.
The way he celebrates a putt that doesn’t go in is as mesmerising as it is brilliant. I think I’ve watched it 50 times already…
Make that 51.
Right, that’s enough from me. Have a good week, whatever you’re up to. Remember you can follow me on Twitter if that’s your thing. (Though please stop tweeting me about my opinions on vaccines from last week’s column. Cheers!)
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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.
