JUST PERFECT PREPARATION
PGA champ’s Fired up for title
JUSTIN THOMAS warmed up for USPGA title defence in style by romping to glory at Firestone in the WGC Bridgestone Invitational.
The American ace kept a cool head to ease to victory as Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter saw their challenge fade away.
Thomas started the day with a three-shot lead and extended that with a brilliant closing 69 to finish on 15 under – four clear of closest challenger Kyle Stanley (68).
And it was the perfect way for the world No.3 to prepare for his title defence at Bellerive Country Club this week.
World No.1 Dustin Johnson also heads into the USPGA on a high closed with a stunning 64 to fire himself into a tie for third place with Dane Thorbjorn Olsen who also shot a 64.
But McIlroy finished eight shots adrift in a tie for sixth after a disappointing 73 with Poulter one stroke further adrift after closing with a 74.
Tiger Woods saw his hopes of a record ninth Bridgestone title end with a whimper.
The former world No.1 had been in contention at six-under after two rounds but a pair of 73s over the weekend handed him his poorest finish since missing the cut in June’s US Open.
Woods, who finished level par, said: “I just wasn’t as sharp as I need to be. The only day I putted well was the first day but I now have three more to clean it up.”
This week was the final
Bridgestone event with the tournament heading to Memphis next year.
Woods has enjoyed many happy years in Akron and is sad he won’t be back to capture a ninth title.
He said: “I will miss coming here to Akron. I will miss the community and it’s just a fantastic event as I’ve been coming here for 20 years.
“There are people out here that are camped-out on the same hole year after year and we are going to miss that.”
Open champion Francesco Molinari heads to this week’s USPGA admitting he’s still coming to grips with his Carnoustie win.
The Italian finished just inside the top-50 with rounds of 70,72, 70 and 69 for his one-over tally.
It is his poorest finish in seven events dating back to May’s BMW PGA triumph and the first of his three victories this year.
Molinari said: “This week has been challenging energy-wise. I was low despite resting last week and still a bit tired.
“That was not only the result of winning The Open but the last two months and I knew sooner or later it was going to take a toll.”
Lone Scot Russell Knox also bid farewell to Firestone posting a final hole double bogey in a 72 to finish two over.
But Knox is confident ahead of this week and said: “This is the best I’ve felt going into a Major. I see this week as my best chance of the year. It should be fun.”