Strong finish & major thrill for local pro

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. − Quaker Ridge pro Brian Gaffney bounced back from his third-round 78 to close a memorable PGA Championship with a 71 on Sunday, as he fist-pumped his way around Whistling Straits.

“I tried to get as much out of it as I could,” said Gaffney, who was in the first twosome of the day. “They were cheering and no one ever cheers for me, so it just felt great.

“And I thought, ‘Well, I’ll get them riled up, because they got me riled up.’”

Gaffney, the first club pro to make the cut in four years, finished at 5-over 293. He was asked how it ranks with his golf accomplishments.

“I’ve been really fortunate,” he said. “I had some people help me along the way, and I won tournaments that were big tournaments. They all mean something, but this one right now feels like it means a lot.”

Gaffney said he’ll be back to work in the Quaker Ridge pro shop in Scarsdale “Tuesday morning, first thing.”

RISING FROM THE DUST

Dustin Johnson took himself out of it with an eight on the first hole Sunday. He still tied for seventh by rallying with a 69. He finished in the top 10 in three majors and 49th in the British Open after leading it through 36 holes. He had two eagles, six birdies, six pars, three bogeys and the one quad.

“What a comeback,” he said. “I played really well from then on into the house. Definitely proud about that.

“I think after that kind of start, your round can go one or two ways. Standing on five tee (after a second straight bogey), I’m like, ‘Let’s get this back. I feel like I’m playing well, just had a couple really bad breaks. But I feel like I’m playing well.’

“I thought if we can get it to double digits that will be a really solid finish, and actually did a lot better than that.”

PHIL OF HOPE

It was a nice weekend for Phil Mickelson, who finished 66-69 to tie for 18th, his second-best finish in a major this year.

“I’m close. I’m sick of saying that. I’m tired of not being there yet,” he said. “It keeps getting better and better and I keep hitting more and more good shots each round, but I keep making some dumb mistakes.”

TWEETIN’ TIGER

Tiger Woods tweeted early congratulations to good pal Jason Day, the PGA champ, and new World No. 1 Jordan Spieth, noting he was watching at Woods Jupiter, his new restaurant in Florida. “Game over, very happy for Jason. Great dude and well deserved,” he tweeted.