Erik van Rooyen started his round with a bogey and closed with an eagle at the par-5 18th for a final-round 63 to reach 27-under and win the World Wide Technology Championship by two shots; his second PGA our title in his 91st start at the age of 33 years, 8 months, 15 days.
“Obviously it didn’t start off on a great note, making a 6 on one left a sour taste in my mouth,” said the South African. “Then you drain a, what is it, 35-, 40-footer on 2 and it’s like, OK, it’s all right, this is a silly game so just keep playing. Hung around all day. Didn’t make a ton of birdies. Camilo got off to a super hot start, Matt made some putts which he always does, and things just turned on the back nine. Great birdie on 10, almost holed it on 11, beautiful 13-, 14-footer on 12, left-right breaker in the heart and you’re off and running. Just hung in there and made some fricking awesome putts on 16, 17 and 18.”
Colombian Camilo Villegas, playing on a sponsor exemption, started the day in the lead and made four birdies in his first six holes then added two more in his final two to close with a bogey-free 66 for a 25-under, 263 total that ties his low 72-hole score on Tour. He finished runner-up for the fifth time in his 387th career start on Tour.
“Obviously got off to a great start, that was the plan. Then I went a little cold in the middle of the round, missed a couple putts, a little tentative with the putter, but that’s normal under these circumstances. I haven’t been in this position in a long time.
But it was great. Overall I felt great. I’ve been doing some good work off the golf course both swing and mental and it paid off. Very nice to make some birdies coming in, finishing strong, tied for second.
“If you think about it, I mean, Erik just shot 28 on the back. He played his last nine holes, I think it was 8 under the last nine holes, nine or 10 holes. That’s pretty impressive. And the putt on the last to close it out. I was kind of hoping he gave me a chance. But hey, I’m proud of the way I battled today, I’m proud of the way I played all week and I’m proud of just the time and work I’ve been putting into the game.”
American Matt Kuchar, who held a share of the overnight lead, also carded a 66 for a share of second place, his fifteenth runner-up finish in his 535th career start.
Fellow American Justin Suh closed with a bogey-free 65 to finish solo fourth at 24-under followed in fifth place at 22-under by compatriots Ryan Palmer(bogey-free, 64) and Andrew Putnam who carded a bogey-free 62 featuring an eagle at the par-4 10th.
