Kisner snaps playoff blues with win
Outlasts five others on second extra hole to bolster chance of making Ryder Cup
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Kevin Kisner finally broke his playoff drought Sunday to win the Wyndham Championship. He hopes the victory will help him achieve another milestone — representing the United States in the Ryder Cup.
Kisner stuck his approach to 3 feet on the second extra hole and made the putt to win a record-tying six-man playoff.
Kisner, 37, an excellent putter who now has four PGA Tour wins, has never qualified or been selected to represent the United States in the biennial matches against Europe. American captain Steve Stricker will make six picks after the Tour Championship, and Kisner believes he’s at least put himself in the mix.
“Who knows, man?” Kisner said. “I’ve never been picked before, so I’m not going to go out there and jump on a limb and say that I’m going to get picked this year.
“I love Stricker, he’s a great friend and great guy. He’ll do what’s best for the team and the country.”
And that could mean Kisner, who’s 23rd in the U.S. Ryder Cup points standings, yet has shaken off an uninspired year with improved play at the right time.
Kisner has shot in the 60s in 12 of his past 20 rounds. His 66 Sunday at Sedgefield included birdies on the 16th and 17th holes to reach 15 under and the playoff.
In the playoff, he bested Adam Scott, Roger Sloan, Kevin Na, Si Woo Kim and Branden Grace after all had made pars on the first additional hole.
“To be standing here is pretty sweet,” said Kisner, who had been 0-5 in playoffs.
With Scott looking at a 4footer for birdie on the first extra hole, Kisner thought he would have to hole a pitch from short of the 18th green just to stay in the playoff, and he nearly did it. Kisner grimaced as his ball settled just right of the cup.
But Scott’s short putt missed badly and all six players went back to the 18th tee. This time, only Kisner gave himself a close look at birdie on the 505-yard closing hole.