Kevin Yu stared the day two shots behind the lead and closed with a 67 to reach 23-under and enter a playoff with American Beau Hossler who shot a final-round 68.
Yu birdied at the first extra hole to win his first PGA Tour title in his 56th start at the age of 26 years, 1 month, 25 days and becomes the first Chinese Taipei winner on Tour since C.T. Pan at the 2019 RBC Heritage.
“I knew I have to make at least a birdie to have a chance to play playoff. I had a great number and talked to my caddie, he loves it, too.
“You know, I hit it to like 18 feet and that putt, I mean, was definitely stressful but definitely out there I was really calm and trying to do the best I could have done out there.
“Pulled the trigger, and luckily it went in and it was great.
“Feels amazing. Feels like a dream come true,” said Yu. “I’ve been dreaming this since I was five. I just feel like to do it with my paints out here, it’s really special.
“Everybody was saying, like first win is always very special and only get it once, so really happy. And I still got to keep going and hopefully finish the season strong.
At 23-under 265, Yu set a new Sanderson Farms Championship scoring record since the event moved to the Country Club of Jackson (previous: 266/Scott Stallings/2012).
Hossler recorded his career-best 72-hole score on Tour and finished runner-up for the fourth time.
“The main positive is just getting under the gun and performing. You know, it’s tough to get in a position to win on the PGA Tour. I was proud to get there, and then proud of my performance,” said Hossler.
“Even though I didn’t have my best stuff on the back nine I grinded really hard. Hit some really quality shots under the gun, and that’s all you can do. Obviously Kevin played a beautiful hole in the playoff. Hit it right down the middle. Probably 7-iron to five feet and made it right in the middle.
“Definitely stings, but you got to tip your hat. I don’t know what he shot today, but had to be 6-, 7-under and then to birdie the playoff hole, pretty flawless day. Good for him.”
Americans Lucas Glover (66) and Keith Mitchell (70) tied for third place at 22-under.
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The 2024 Sanderson Farms Championship was the second event of the FedExCup Fall, a group of eight tournaments played after the Tour Championship that finalizes eligibility for the 2025 PGA TOUR Season.
Nos. 1-50 in the FedExCup standings through the Tour Championship are locked in their positions, while Nos. 51 and beyond carry their FedExCup points into the Fall. Nos. 51-60 through the FedExCup Fall will qualify for two Signature Events in 2025 (AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, The Genesis Invitational).
Players to move into Nos. 51-60: Kevin Yu (P1; from No. 96 to No. 60).
Players to fall out of Nos. 51-60: Min Woo Lee (not in field; from No. 60 to No. 61).
The Top 125 will be exempt into all Full-Field events and The Players next season and Nos. 126-150 will earn full Korn Ferry Tour status and conditional status on Tour.
Players to move into the Top 125: Hayden Springer (T8; from No. 127 to No. 115), Alex Smalley (T5; from No. 132 to No. 116), Vince Whaley (T16; from No. 126 to No. 121).
Players to fall out of the Top 125: Pierceson Coody (MC; from No. 121 to No. 127), Dylan Wu (MC; from No. 122 to No. 128), Matt NeSmith (T48; from No. 124 to No. 130).
Related: Historic win for Tyrrell Hatton
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