SAN FRANCISCO:
Sahith Theegala cruised to a maiden PGA Tour title on Sunday, romping to victory by two strokes on the Fortinet Championship in northern California.
Theegala, who began the ultimate spherical sitting on a two-shot lead, by no means seemed like squandering that benefit throughout a composed ultimate spherical on the Silverado Resort’s north course in Napa.
The 25-year-old from California carded a four-under-par 68 together with seven birdies to complete on 21 beneath for a cushty win with a crowd of shut household and pals trying on from the galleries.
Theegala’s procession to the title was successfully sealed on the 14th gap, when he rolled in an outstanding 20-foot birdie putt to drag 5 photographs clear.
South Korea’s Kim Seong-hyeon, enjoying within the group forward, raised hopes of a rally with back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes to trim Theegala’s result in three photographs, however the chief wouldn’t be denied.
Theegala responded to Kim’s problem by drilling an outstanding second shot from the green to seven toes of the opening on the par-four 16th. He then coolly rolled within the birdie putt to take a four-shot lead with simply two holes remaining.
A strong par on the par-three 17th left Theegala 4 clear heading to the par-five 18th, and though Kim bagged one other birdie on the final to chop the lead again to a few, the end result was by no means doubtful.
Theegala performed conservatively to shut with a bogey for an mixture 267.
“It would not really feel actual, it is in all probability not going to sink in for some time,” an elated Theegala mentioned after the win.
“However man, there was a whole lot of good golf, and that was in all probability essentially the most enjoyable I’ve had on a golf course in my life. Household and pals cheering me on, it is mind-blowing.
“This sense is unimaginable and I could not have performed it with out my entire group and everybody out right here. It is a group effort and for me to place it collectively like this implies the world.”
Kim completed on 19 beneath after a closing four-under-par 68.
Australia’s Cam Davis completed alone in third on 17 beneath after a closing 70, one away from Eric Cole on 16 beneath, who additionally completed with a 70.
Two-time main champion Justin Thomas’s problem pale on the ultimate spherical with a level-par 72 to depart him in fifth on 15 beneath, six off the lead.
Brendon Todd completed in sixth on 14 beneath after shifting up the leaderboard with a six-under-par 66 to shut.
The day’s largest mover was Troy Merritt, whose seven-under-par 65 was adequate to propel him 30 locations up the leaderboard right into a four-way tie for seventh on 13 beneath.
Merritt completed alongside Max Homa, who closed with a three-under-par 69, England’s Callum Tarren and US veteran Matt Kuchar.