Kizzire holds off late Fowler charge to take maiden victory
So what happened at the OHL Classic?
A final round of 67 was enough to see Patton Kizzire to a one shot victory at Mayakobo following a late charge from fellow American Rickie Fowler (67).
It was a marathon not a sprint in Mexico as the field wrapped up round three early on Sunday following a rain-delay that had carried through until the final day of action.
As the final round began Kizzire held a one shot lead over Fowler but by the time the pair had reached the 12th his advantage had stretched out to four.
Fowler set to work having faltered early on in the round finding the water twice on the par 5 5th before getting up and down from a bunker to card one of the bogeys of the year.
Breaking through in Mayakoba.@pkizzire wins the @MayakobaGolf for his first win on the PGA TOUR. pic.twitter.com/Ok1jGshaAg
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 12, 2017
The 28-year-old then found his rhythm on the back nine notching birdies on the 13th, 16th and 17th to cut the lead to just one as the pair headed down the 72nd hole.
Fowler’s tee shot found the right side of the fairway while Kizzire, who was hunting his first PGA Tour victory, left himself a tricky lie with his stance hampered by a bunker down the left.
The 31-year-old with his heels hanging over the edge of the hazard choked down on an 8-iron and produced one of the shots of his career to find the left side of the green.
Fowler also found the putting surface but saw his 40-foot birdie attempt come up just short which left Kizzire two putts for his maiden win.
The American duly obliged knocking his 30-foot effort to just six inches and with it punched a ticket to Augusta National next April.
Best Shots
What a golf shot. ?@pkizzire makes the most of an awkward stance on No. 18. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/uG8CYtUwm1
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 12, 2017
How does this not go in?!#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/cMhfNk4RAA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 12, 2017
From the rocks … WOW.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/2Uw91Dyel2
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 12, 2017
Best Tweets
Watching Rickie's putt on 18… pic.twitter.com/9la1rmY2k3
— Skratch (@Skratch) November 12, 2017
Congrats to @pkizzire on this W. Happy for ya pal!!!
— Hudson Swafford (@Hud_swafford) November 12, 2017
WE LOVE IT @pkizzire !!! Awesome week! First of many!
— J.T. Poston (@JT_ThePostman) November 12, 2017
Heck of a battle between Patton and Rick! Congrats to this dude @pkizzire on the big Win! #stud pic.twitter.com/IkDO1Ru6jv
— Smylie Kaufman (@SmylieKaufman10) November 12, 2017
Awesome @pkizzire!
— Graham DeLaet (@GrahamDeLaet) November 12, 2017
Congrats to @pkizzire on his 1st win!! Can’t wait to celebrate with you next week down in Sea Island!! #guts
— Brandt Snedeker (@BrandtSnedeker) November 12, 2017
Yup you are a stud @pkizzire……congrats!
— Grayson Murray (@GraysonMurray) November 12, 2017
Ice in those veins @pkizzire! Huge W! @MayakobaGolf
— Harris English (@Harris_English) November 12, 2017
WITB
In Patton's Titleist setup: #ProV1x, #Titleist917 D3, #Titleist718 MB (7-9), CB (5-6) and T-MB (4), @VokeyWedges and @ScottyCameron. pic.twitter.com/L2C6toCk3x
— Titleist (@Titleist) November 12, 2017
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Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
