https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1558963009078321153
Will Zalatoris carded a final-round 66 after finishing with a 10-foot par putt at the 18th to reach 15-under and set up a playoff against Austrian Sepp Straka.
Both parred the first two extra holes and the outcome was uncertain when the American’s tee shot hit the rocks and bounced at the par-3 11th. Fortunately for him Straka’s found the water.
Zalatoris took a penalty drop and holed a 7-foot bogey putt to win.
An instant classic.@WillZalatoris vs. @SeppStraka
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 14, 2022
Every shot from the third and deciding playoff hole @FedExChamp. pic.twitter.com/rZclieVlSf
“I thought there was no chance that ball was covering the water. When it landed and I saw it bounce a few times and heard the crowd cheer, I knew I got a pretty fortunate break, but I really, I couldn’t get the club on the ball. Considering where Sepp was and he had four feet for 5, there’s no reason for me to try that shot and make it bank right into the grass and go back in the water and all of a sudden I’ve lost the golf tournament.
“We went back to the drop zone and obviously it paid off. Like I said, it’s one of those I guess you could say it’s a fortunate break that it stayed up, but obviously I had to earn it after what happened.”
Winning was especially sweet as Zalatoris had lost in two previous playoff this year, at the Farmers Insurance Open and the PGA Championship. He had also missed a 15-foot putt at the US Open that would have led to a playoff.
He is the second player to win his first PGA Tour title in a FedEx Cup Playoffs event following Camilo Villegas at the 2008 BMW Championship and he moves up to the number 1 spot in the FedEx Cup standings.
“It’s kind of hard to say “about time” when it’s your second year on Tour, but about time.
“Obviously this week was kind of a grind considering the start that I had. I love this golf course, I played well here last year. Considering all the close finishes that I’ve had this year, to finally pull it off, it means a lot.”
Straka’s second place ensures his spot at the Tour Championship.
Americans Lucas Glover (66) and Brian Harman (67) tied for third at 12-under while compatriots Collin Morikawa (67), Tony Finau (68), Andrew Putnam (68) and Trey Mullinax (70) finished fifth at 11-under alongside Australian Adam Scott (66), Spaniard Jon Rahm (66) and Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick (68).
