Munoz keeps lead at Greenbrier Classic
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Virginia: Davis Love believes his experience might give him an edge as he tries to become the PGA Tour’s oldest winner at age 53. First, he must surpass several others, including a rookie trying to become the first wire-to-wire winner in The Greenbrier Classic.
Sebastian Munoz shot a 2-under 68 on Saturday to maintain a two-stroke lead over Robert Streb after the third round. The 24-year-old Colombian was at 14-under 196 at Old White TPC. Streb shot a 65.
Love was tied with two others at 10 under after a 68 with four players ahead of him. The two-time Ryder Cup captain who will enter the World Golf Hall of Fame in September likes his chances Sunday.
“Under the pressure, I know how to handle things,” Love said. “I’ve seen some guys this week kind of go up and down and make some rookie mistakes, including myself. I’m going to make mistakes too, but hopefully the experience will pay off.”
At No. 221 in the FedEx Cup standings, Love wants to make the season-ending playoffs and is among those trying to qualify for the British Open in two weeks. The leading four players not already exempt from the top-12 finishers will earn spots. Russell Henley is the only player in the top 10 who has already qualified.
Sam Snead won the last of his eight titles at Greensboro in 1965 at 52 years, 10 months, eight days. Love will try to break the mark at the former playground of Snead, who was the longtime PATTAYA, Thailand: Teenage Thai amateur Atthaya Thitikul became the youngest winner on the Ladies European Tour on Sunday when she beat Ana Menendez of Mexico by two strokes in the inaugural Ladies European Thailand Championship at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Chinburi.
Atthaya produced a level-par 72 on Sunday to finish the week head pro and pro emeritus at The Greenbrier resort.
Love’s last win was two years ago at the Wyndham Championship, making him the tour’s third-oldest winner.
“I don’t think much about age,” Love said. “I think that I want to go out and compete. There’s a reason why I keep having surgery, coming back, doing the rehab and trying to play. There’s a lot to play for, not just for this week but for the rest of the season. I’m going to stay after it.”
Munoz welcomes the challenge, especially from Love.
“That would be awesome if he wins,” Munoz said. “He has to beat me and all the other guys. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
While his birdie pace slowed to a trickle, Munoz overcame several miscues to stay atop the leaderboard. He saved par on the ninth hole after driving under a tree, regained the lead with a 26-foot birdie putt on the par-4 13th after driving into the rough, and added a 36-footer for birdie on the par-4 15th.
Streb, five strokes behind Munoz entering the day, birdied the 490-yard 11th and hit his 231-yard approach shot next to the flag and made eagle at the par-5 12th.
He would like to do a little better than in 2015 at the tournament, when he lost in a four-man playoff won by Danny Lee.
That year, Streb broke his putter on the ninth hole in the final round when he tossed it at his bag next to the green. He made five birdie putts on the back nine with a 56-degree wedge. He was able to put a new putter in his bag for the playoff but was eliminated on the first extra without ever getting to use it.
Using the wedge on the greens “worked out pretty well at the time,” Streb said. “I’m not planning on living up to that again.” on 5-under-par 283.
She began her fourth round one shot behind Menendez after posting rounds of 70, 71 and 70. But the Mexican player dropped four shots on the front nine, handing Atthaya a two-shot lead at the turn after one birdie and two bogeys on her first nine holes.
At 14 years, four months and 19 days, Atthaya broke the previous record of the formerly topranked Lydia Ko, who at 14 years and eight months won her first professional event at the New South Wales Open in 2012.
“I’m so happy for my win this week and feel so proud of myself. I give this win to all Thais,” said Atthaya who took inspiration from former Thai top-ranked player Ariya Jutanugarn.
“I was nervous at the first tee. But I didn’t think about the scores. I just focused on my shots and only on my caddie. I didn’t expect to win this tournament as I just came here to learn techniques from the pro players on the Ladies European,” said Atthaya, adding that she would not turn professional for a few years because she needs more experience.