Kodaira’s long birdie seals RBC Heritage

Early on, Satoshi Kodaira was thinking only of playing well enough Sunday in Hilton Head, S.C., to make it to next week’s PGA Tour stop.

Those worries are over for the 28year-old from Japan, who rallied from six shots behind to win the RBC Heritage in a playoff and gain an invitation to join the tour as a regular.

“This is a stage I’ve been dreaming about,” Kodaira said through an interpreter. “And having this opportunity to play full time is a dream come true. So, of course, I will accept fulltime membership.”

Kodaira defeated Si Woo Kim on the third playoff hole, rolling in a 25foot birdie on the par-three 17th hole, then punching his fist in celebration. It ended a drama-filled final round in which it appeared that Kim, Ian Poulter and Luke List had the lock on the title at different points.

But it was Kodaira’s relentless grind to the top that won the day. And with the game he showed at Harbour Town Golf Links, Kodaira appears like he’s got more big moments on tour ahead like countryman and fivetime tour winner Hideki Matsuyama.

“I feel like I’m getting closer to that level,” said Kodaira, who is ranked 46th in the world. “I’d like to do my best in major championships and, hopefully, work hard at it.”

Bryson DeChambeau (66) and List (72) were tied for third. Thirdround leader Poulter’s bid for a second tour title in three weeks ended with a 75 and a tie for seventh.

Kodaira won $1.206 million. He’ll be exempt on the PGA Tour through the 2019-20 season.

Rahm wins Spanish Open

Jon Rahm shot a five-under 67 to win the Spanish Open with overnight leader Paul Dunne two strokes behind.

The fourth-ranked Rahm had six birdies in his final round to end the Centro Nacional de Golf tournament in Madrid on 20-under 268.

The Spaniard earned his third European Tour win a week after finishing fourth at the Masters in Augusta.

“When I made the decision to come straight from Augusta it wouldn’t be to just show up and walk around, I wanted to win this tournament,” Rahm said.

It was Rahm’s first professional win at home.