History-making victory for Niemann in season opener
The Greenbrier report: What happened at Old White TPC?
Joaquin Niemann became just the third player born outside the USA to win on the PGA Tour before the age of 21 as he came out on top in the season-opening The Greenbrier with a score of 21-under-par.
He joins Rory McIlroy and Seve Ballesteros as the only other players and is younger than both when they achieved the feat.
🏆@JoacoNiemann is victorious @GBRMilitary!
The 20-year-old Chilean wins by SIX. 🇨🇱
He becomes just the third player born outside the United States to have won on TOUR before age 21.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/eBuNStVRWF
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 15, 2019
The Chilean successfully converted his 54-hole lead, becoming the first player to do so at this event. In truth, the outcome never looked in doubt.
The perfect read at the perfect time. 💯@JoacoNiemann leads by 4 with 4 holes left.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/9NuO7vVgQ9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 15, 2019
On Sunday, he closed out the week as if he was a seasoned champion – shooting an impressive 64 which included eight birdies and two bogeys.
Niemann turned pro in 2018 and, with this triumph, also becomes the first player from Chile to win a PGA Tour title.
The sky is the limit for @JoacoNiemann.
5-shot lead with 1 hole left @GBRMilitary. pic.twitter.com/yg9woA4GK9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 15, 2019
Tom Hoge took solo second but was some six shots back of the champion. He finished just ahead of Brian Harman, Harris English, Nate Lashley and Richy Werenski, who all ended up on 14-under.
The Greenbrier report: Talking points
Viktor Hovland tied Bob Estes’ 36-year-old record for the most consecutive sub-70 rounds on the PGA Tour on Sunday.
Hovland signed for a final round 64 to secure a top 10 finish in the first event of the 2019-20 season and this was his 17th consecutive round in the 60s.
The Norwegian only turned professional in June and has looked truly at home on the biggest of stages.
Viktor Hovland has posted 17 consecutive rounds in the 60s on TOUR.
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64This ties @BobEstesPGA for most in a row since 1983.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/p3RGoOXIb9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 15, 2019
**
Kevin Chappell was the man in the headlines on Friday evening after he added his name to one of the most exclusive lists in golf.
The American was returning to action for the first time since having back surgery in November and couldn’t have dreamed of a better comeback.
He recorded eight consecutive birdies on the back nine as he joined the exclusive 59 club following a round of 11-under-par.
It could have been even better, but Chappell missed a birdie attempt at the last to join Jim Furyk, who is the only player on the PGA Tour to shoot a 58.
Even so, he’s still just the 10th player in the Tour’s history to hit that magic 59 number.
“Ten months ago I was laying on my couch and couldn’t get up,” he said. “I just couldn’t feel more lucky to be here right now.”
Chappell would go on to finish tied-47th after a weekend of the 73 and 72.
59 by the numbers:
SG: Off-the-Tee: +1.613 (7th)
SG: Tee-to-Green: +4.915 (2nd)
SG: Approach-the-Green: +1.860 (19th)
SG: Around-the-Green: +1.442 (10th)
SG: Putting: +5.008 (2nd)
SG: Total: +9.923 (1st)
Fairways hit: 8/14 (T86)
GIR: 17 of 18
Proximity: 26’ 7” (T27)
Putts: 24 pic.twitter.com/Q0HlwZn0H8— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 14, 2019
**
While many of the big names may not be appearing on our screens playing golf at the moment, we do however still see plenty of them on social media.
Phil Mickelson has become somewhat of a Twitter sensation since he joined the network and he was back on Sunday with an impromptu ‘Phireside with Phil’.
I was at Addison’s (best restaurant in SD and has 1 Michelin star) and I saw a fireplace. So I shot a quick Phireside with Phil. pic.twitter.com/jVqhxzcSDJ
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) September 15, 2019
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.
