Rookie Schauffele, 23, birdies No. 18 for win
Bests Streb, Munoz to claim Greenbrier
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.VA. — A strong finish in the U.S. Open last month helped prepare Xander Schauffele for the nerve-racking grind of chasing a title on the PGA Tour.
The rookie made a 3-foot birdie putt on the final hole Sunday to win The Greenbrier Classic by a stroke over Robert Streb for his first tour victory.
Schauffele closed with a 3-under 67 and finished at 14-under 266 to cap a daylong duel with Streb and thirdround leader Sebastian Munoz.
Streb shot 69. Munoz had a 72 to tie for third with Jamie Lovemark at 12 under. Lovemark shot 69.
The 23-year-old Schauffele, who took up golf after giving up soccer because his coaches wanted him to switch from offense to defense, tied for fifth in his first U.S. Open at Erin Hills.
“The U.S. Open was a huge moment in my career,” Schauffele said. “It was one of the biggest stages, and for me to be calm and collected throughout the week and just kind of hang on and tie for fifth was huge for me mentally. It kind of gave me the confidence and allowed me to play to win this week.”
Watching fellow youngster Jon Rahm of Spain win the Irish Open earlier Sunday also served as motivation for Schauffele, who shot from 94th to 27th in the Fedex Cup standings.
“Everybody knows I’m a late bloomer,” Schauffele said. “To jump into the top 30 is something special for me.”
At age 53, Davis Love III fell short in his bid to become the oldest-ever winner on tour. Love started his round four strokes back, bogeyed the first two holes and was never a threat. He shot 75 and tied for 29th at 5 under.
■ At Oneida, Wis., Katherine Kirk won the Thornberry Creek
LPGA —
LPGA Classic, matching Ashleigh Buhai with a birdie on the final hole for a one-stroke victory.
Four strokes ahead of Buhai entering the round, Kirk made a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th for a 2-under 70. She finished at 22-under 266 in the first year event at Thornberry Creek — the Oneida Nation-owned resort near Green Bay.
■ At Portstewart, Northern Ireland, Jon Rahm won the Irish Open by six strokes, shooting a 7-under 65 in a final round marked by two eagles and a rules controversy. He finished at 24-under 264.
European Tour —