STANLEY takes first title in 5 years
POTOMAC, United States: Kyle Stanley saved par on the first sudden death play-off hole to beat fellow American Charles Howell III and capture the Quicken Loans US PGA National on Sunday for his first victory in five years.
Stanley and Howell III, paired together in the final round, shot matching four-under-par 66s to reach the top of the leaderboard at seven under. Playing the par-4 18th hole in their play-off, each missed the green with their second shot but after Howell III misfired on a 10-foot par putt, Stanley calmly sank his short attempt to claim his second career PGA Tour triumph.
“It means a lot, it’s hard to put into words right now,” said an emotional Stanley, whose previous victory came at the Phoenix Open in 2012.
“(This win) is confirmation we’ve been working on the right things, and if anything will make me a little bit hungrier to get to work.”
The TPC Potomac in Maryland was softened by rain and endured a five-minute storm delay late in the day, making the final round a scramble that featured several contenders and some costly mistakes.
World number nine Rickie Fowler fired a 65 and finished tied for third at five under alongside Scotland’s Martin Laird. Fowler shot nine birdies but his chances were undone by a double bogey on the reachable par-4 14th, one of the easiest holes on the course.
“Fourteen cost me a good shot to get in good position in the clubhouse,” Fowler said. “There are a couple swings I’d like to have back.”
Overnight leader David Lingmerth stumbled home with a three-over 73 to finish in a group of weight players sharing fifth place at four under.
Howell III was returning from a rib injury that kept him out of tournament action for more than two months and his 16th career second place earned him a spot in this month’s British Open in Southport. “I’m excited to be back, it’s a wonderful event,” Howell III said. “It was a long nine weeks, it’s great to be healthy.”
— Reuters
US PGA NATIONAL Top scores after final round (par-70, USA unless noted, Stanley won with par on first play-off hole): 273 - Kyle Stanley 70-70-67-66, Charles Howell 71-69-67-66 275 - Rickie Fowler 70-72-68-65, Martin (SCO) 67-72-69-67 276 - Ben Martin 68-73-70-65, Marc Leishman (AUS) 66-72-72-66, Keegan Bradley 71-68-7067, Johnson Wagner 66-71-71-68, Kang Sung (KOR) 66-69-71-70, Curtis Luck (AUS) 68-71-6770, Spencer Levin 70-70-65-71, David Lingmerth (SWE) 65-65-73-73 277 - Nick Watney 72-70-71-64, Bill Haas 6970-71-67, Jason Gore 69-74-67-67, Geoff Ogilvy (AUS) 67-65-74-71 278 - Bryson DeChambeau 67-71-74-66, Patrick Reed 67-72-72-67, Ricky Barnes 68-6873-69, Kevin Streelman 68-72-69-69, Daniel Summerhays 66-68-70-74 279 - Kevin Na 75-69-68-67, Danny Lee (NZL) 70-68-72-69, Patrick Rodgers 71-73-66-69, Harris English 70-67-72-70 280 - Billy Horschel 70-73-70-67, Tyrone Van Aswegen (RSA) 72-66-74-68, Jason Kokrak 72-6871-69 Laird