Charles Schwab Challenge
The ever-eccentric Korean American Kevin Na has been on a hot run of form as of late. While he won exactly one time in his first 369 starts, he’s won twice in his last twenty-three.
On Sunday, with a 2-stroke advantage going into the day, Na out-classed a strong group of contenders that included local favorite Jordan Spieth, the consistent Tony Finau and a legend of the game, Jim Furyk.
The Fort Worth Invitational played at Colonial Country Club, which is currently sponsored by Charles Schwab, has seen the even called many names throughout its history. It has also seen some cool history as well. In 2003, Annika Sorenstam became the first woman to play on the PGA Tour since Babe Zaharias back in 1945.
After Kevin’s win, he raised the trophy and donned the tartan-clad jacket, but he made his caddie a promise. If he won the event, Kenny Harms, his longtime caddie would get the restored 1973 Dodge Challenger that was to be awarded to the champ.
With the final putt dropped on his final round 66, Kevin pointed at the car and shouted to Kenny, “That’s your car!”
Through all his trials and tribulations on the PGA Tour, Na has become a fan favorite and someone who is incredibly easy to root for. It’s moments like this that will cement his legacy on the PGA Tour.
Kevin Na is a Callaway Staff player. These are the clubs he used to with the Charles Schwab Challenge (As reported by PGATOUR):
Callaway GBB Epic 9°
Shaft:
Graphite Design Tour AD-GP 6TX
PXG Gen2 0317x
Shaft:
Graphite Design Tour AD-DI
Callaway Rogue Pro (4-iron)
Shaft:
True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue
Callaway Apex Pro 2016 (5-PW)
Shaft:
True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue
Odyssey Toulon Madison
Made in Denmark
Sunday’s final pairing of Scotsman Robert MacIntyre and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger provided some incredible back and forth action that wasn’t settled until the 18th green.
Wiesberger held a slim 1 shot advantage heading into the final round, but MacIntyre was determined to make Bernd wait a little bit longer for a comeback win. Wiesberger missed 7 months last year due to a wrist injury.
As the players made the turn, they were in an even heat. After back and forth action that saw both players produce some low scores, down the stretch it was the Scot who blinked first. A wayward tee shot led to a bogey on 17 and a 2-stroke advantage for Wiesberger going into 18.
Though, not to be outdone, Bernd returned the favor, hitting his tee shot on 18 into the penalty area right of the fairway. While Bernd bogeyed, Robert could only muster a par and the two men finished even for the day with a 5-under 66.
The win for Bernd Wiesberger is his fifth career European Tour victory and takes his career earnings on the Tour to over $10 million.
Pure Silk Championship
Bronte Law won the Pure Silk Championship played at Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, Virginia by two strokes. After rallying from 10-shots back to make it into a playoff in the LPGA Mediheal Championship three weeks ago, Bronte was able to capture her first career LPGA Tour win.
With players like Brooke Henderson, Nasa Hataoka and Madelene Sagstrom chasing and shooting final rounds under par, Bronte did not make Sunday easy on herself. However, a birdie on the 16th gave her some much needed breathing room for the final two holes.
Law is the 11th different winner on Tour and the second Rolex First-Time winner of the season, joining Celine Boutier, winner of the ISPS Handa Vic Open.
KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
The second of back-to-back majors on the PGA Tour Champions was played this week. The over-50 Tour headed to the venerable Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York. The course has played host to a Ryder Cup and a litany of U.S. Opens, PGA Championships and Senior PGA Championships.
The track proved a tough test at this year’s KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. Only 3 players finished under par.
Ken Tanigawa, who finished the tournament at 3-under par, bested Scott McCarron by 1 stroke, and Paul Broadhurst by 2. This is Tanigawa’s second career victory on the PGA Tour Champions.
Keith Schneider
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