Rose goes close before Berger takes first post-lockdown event
DANIEL BERGER defeated fellow American Collin Morikawa in a play-off to win the 2020 Charles Schwab Challenge, the first US PGA tournament since the coronavirus suspension.
The 27-year-old sealed victory at the Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas, when Morikawa missed a simple three-foot par putt that would have extended the play-off to a second hole.
Morikawa’s miss followed another errant six-foot birdie putt on the 18th which would have won him the tournament in regulation.
England’s Justin Rose came agonisingly close to securing a play-off spot, gathering himself after an early bogey to claim six birdies headed into the 18th.
But he missed an 18-foot birdie putt on the last that would have
put him equal with Berger on 15-under.
His four-under 66 left him tied for third on 14-under alongside Bryson DeChambeau, Jason Kokrak and overnight leader Xander Schauffele.
World No 1 Rory McIlroy, who went into Sunday alongside Rose at three shots off the lead, found himself out of contention early after shanking an approach on the first.
McIlroy struggled to stay composed throughout the front nine, picking up four bogeys and a double bogey before finally securing a birdie on the 10th.
After a bogey on the 15th, birdies on the 16th and 18th left the Northern Irishman tied for 32nd with a four-over 74.
Yorkshire’s Matthew Fitzpatrick also closed out his tournament tied for 32nd while compatriot Ian Poulter shot 70 to finish tied for 29th.
The event marked a successful return for golf with all 487 coronavirus tests taken during the week returning negative.