Justin rips up record books

Los Angeles – Justin Thomas (above) made more history on Sunday at the Sony Open, firing a five-under 65 to set the PGA Tour’s lowest 72-hole score at 253.

Thomas sank a one-foot birdie putt on the par-five 18th at the Waialae Country Club course where his 27-under 253 is the lowest four-round score of all time.

“It has been an unbelievable week,” Thomas said.

Thomas started his round with a seven-shot lead and cruised to victory, finishing seven strokes ahead of Britain’s Justin Rose.

The 23-year-old American is off to one of the best starts in PGA Tour history.

He has won three of his last four tournaments. That includes a sweep of the Hawaii swing as he becomes the first golfer since Ernie Els in 2003 to win the Tournament of Champions and Honolulu’s Sony Open back-to-back.

Olympic gold medallist Rose closed with a six-under 64 to reach a 20-under 260 total. Former world No 1 Jordan Spieth finished in solo third with a final-round 63 to finish eight shots behind.

Kevin Kisner and Jamie Lovemark both shot 65 and tied for fourth at 18-under.

Thomas’ epic performance this week started and ended with him making history in Hawaii.

He became the youngest on the Tour to shoot a 59 in the first round, shot 64 to set the 36-hole record in Friday’s second round, continued with a 65 to tie the 54hole record on Saturday and set the 72-hole mark on Sunday.

Tommy Armour held the previous 72-hole record with a 254 at the 2003 Texas Open. –