Kodaira captures RBC Heritage in playoff

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Early on, Satoshi Kodaira was thinking of playing well enough Sunday to make it to next week’s PGA Tour stop.

Those worries are over for the 28-year-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 25-foot birdie on the par-3 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 five-time tour winner Hideki Matsuyama.

“I feel like I’m getting closer to that level,” said Kodaira, who is ranked 46th in the world and has played in 15 tour events. “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. Third-round leader Poulter’s bid for a second tour title in three weeks ended with a 75 and a tie for seventh.

Sunday’s start was moved up because of a forecast for bad weather.

MADRID — Jon Rahm closed with a 5-under 67 to win the Spanish Open for his first victory on home soil. Rahm won for the third time on the European Tour, and fifth time overall. The victory came one week after the 23-year-old Spaniard finished fourth at the Masters. Rahm finished at 20-under 268 at Centro Nacional de Golf for a twoshot victory over Paul Dunne of Ireland.

KAPOLEI, Hawaii — Brooke Henderson closed with a 3-under 69 to finish at 12-under 276 in blustery conditions at Ko Olina for a four-shot victory late Saturday in the Lotte Championship. With her sixth career victory, the 20-year-year-old Henderson moved within two victories of Sandra Post’s record for most LPGA Tour victories by a Canadian.