Gary Woodland fired a final-round 64 that included nine birdies and then edged Chez Reavie on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the Waste Management Phoenix Open. It was Woodland’s third PGA Tour title and broke a five-year victory drought.
“I’m kind of overwhelmed right now,” an emotional Woodland told the media. “I’ve played well the last five years; I think I had six second-place finishes. I just haven’t put four rounds together. That was the struggle last year.”
It wasn’t a struggle at TPC Scottsdale, where Woodland posted rounds of 67, 68, 67 and that nifty 64 on Sunday. Fans certainly enjoyed Woodland’s performance and the unique tournament atmosphere. “The Greatest Show on Grass” set another attendance record with 719,179 spectators turning out for the week.
Knowing there were players behind him with birdie opportunities, Woodland finished strong with three birdies on the last four holes to finish at 18-under and with a total of 266.
“It’s been coming,” Woodland said. “We knew it the last month. And sure enough today it all clicked and I made some putts early, gave me some confidence and really hit the ball well coming down the stretch.”
The University of Kansas product, who said “I was in the zone,” excelled in all facets of the game. Woodland averaged 318.4 yards off the tee for the week, reported PGATOUR.COM, and was dialed in with his irons and wedges. Helped recently by former PGA Tour player Brad Faxon, he also putted well, not always his strong suit.
Woodland plays with a mixed bag that includes equipment by TaylorMade, Titleist, Callaway and Bridgestone. Here’s a look at his setup for the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
Gary Woodland’s Clubs
(As reported by GolfWRX.com)
Driver: TaylorMade M3 440 (9 degrees) with Accra Tour RPG shaft
3-Wood: 2017 TaylorMade M2 Tour (15 degrees) with Accra Tour ZX 4100 shaft
5-Wood: 2017 TaylorMade M2 (18 degrees) with Accra Tour ZX 4100 shaft
Irons: Titleist 716 MB (4-9) with KBS Tour C-Taper 130X shafts
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM7 Raw (48-10 F Grind, 52-08 F Grind, 56-10 S Grind) with KBS shafts; Callaway Mack Daddy PM Grind (60-10 degrees) with KBS shaft
Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Prototype
Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X
Neil Sagebiel
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