Rookie wins Greenbrier

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 threefoot 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 three-under 67 at White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., and finished at 14-under 266 to cap a daylong duel with Streb and third-round leader Sebastian Munoz.

Streb shot 69. Munoz had a 72 to tie for third with Jamie Lovemark at 12 under. Lovemark shot 69.

Schauffele, 23, tied for fifth in his first U.S. Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin.

“The U.S. Open was a huge moment in my career,” he said. “It was one of the biggest stages, and for me to be calm and collected throughout the week ... was huge for me mentally.”

As Schauffele reached the 161-yard 18th with a pitching wedge, Munoz and Streb heard the crowd’s roar from the 17th green and both missed birdie putts.

Streb then found the left rough on 18 and his chip that would have forced a playoff came up short.

LPGA: Kirk reigns

Katherine Kirk won the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic at Oneida, Wis., 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-four 18th for a two-under 70. She finished at 22-under 266.

The Australian won her third LPGA Tour title and first in 152 starts since the 2010 Navistar LPGA Classic. Sei Young Kim was third at 20 under after a 63.

Rahm triumphs

Jon Rahm won the Irish Open by six strokes and a record tournament score, shooting a seven-under 65 in the final round.

Rahm, 22, one of the hottest young players in world golf, holed out from 150 yards for eagle on No. 4 and strung together four straight birdies from No. 7 at Portstewart (Northern Ireland) Golf Club. The Spaniard added a second eagle on the par-five 14th.

Rahm finished 24 under at 264 overall, breaking the record to par by three shots, for a second victory of 2017.

Rahm avoided being handed a two-shot penalty for replacing his ball incorrectly on the sixth green, following emails and calls from TV viewers. Andy McFee, chief referee of the European Tour, said Rahm made a “reasonable judgment.”