PGA Tour
The PLAYERS Championship
Thomas Wins The PLAYERS
Justin Thomas came from outside the cut line after 27 holes to score a remarkable narrow one-shot victory to claim The PLAYERS Championship at The Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass.
The 27-year-old American trailed by seven shots after 36 holes to produce the equal biggest comeback in the event’s history. Thomas fired a staggering 64 and 68 (132) on the weekend to match the lowest closing 36 holes in history of The PLAYERS.
Thomas started the final round three shots behind overnight leader Lee Westwood. He remained on that margin after a bogey at the eighth hole. The world No. 3 ranked player then poured in three birdies and one eagle over a four-hole stretch from the ninth hole to the 12th hole to take a two-shot lead. Thomas made a careless three-putt bogey at the 14th hole. Moments later, England’s Westwood held a share of the lead with a birdie at the same hole. Thomas produced clutch golf over the final four holes. He commanded the outright lead after a two-putt birdie at the par 5, 16th hole to get to 14-under.
With his victory, Thomas joins Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller and Tiger Woods as the only players in the modern era to reach 14 PGA Tour titles before the age of 28. And, he joins Tiger Woods as the only golfer to boast at least 14 PGA Tour titles, one major championship and The PLAYERS Championship before the age of 28.
Westwood took a two shot lead going into the final round and held the 54-hole lead for the second consecutive week. The 47-year-old was searching for his first win at The PLAYERS in 15 starts. The world No. 31 finished in outright second place at 13-under a week after he finished in the same position behind Bryson DeChambeau at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
DeChambeau started the final round two shots behind Westwood but never really mounted a challenge. The world No. 6 finished in a tie for third place at 12-under after a final round 1-under 71.
Fellow American Brian Harman joined DeChambeau at third place after a final round 3-under 69. It was the 34-year-old’s best finish at The PLAYERS.
Cameron Smith was the best placed Australian. The 27-year-old, who owns two PGA Tour titles, finished at 7-under and in a tie for 17th place.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy missed the cut with rounds of 79 and 75 (+10).
The PGA Tour remains in Florida for The Honda Classic at PGA National. Sungjae Im is the defending champion.
Final Scores
The PLAYERS Championship
1. Justin Thomas -14
2. Lee Westwood -13
T3. Bryson DeChambeau -12
T3. Brian Harman -12
T5. Talor Gooch -11
T5. Paul Casey -11
Australians
T17. Cameron Smith -7
T29. Cameron Percy -4
T35. Jason Day -3
T48. Adam Scott -1
T55. Matt Jones E
MC. Marc Leishman
MC. Cameron Davis
Photo credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
