DeChambeau wins playoff-opening Northern Trust
Bryson DeChambeau completed the first stage of his mission by winning The Northern Trust. The next one is up to Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk.
Staked to a four-shot lead, DeChambeau never let anyone closer than two shots, ended the threat with consecutive birdies and closed with a 2-under 69 for a fourshot victory over Tony Finau on Sunday in the FedEx Cup opener at Paramus, N.J.
DeChambeau won for the second time this year, both times against some of the strongest fields. He moved to the top of the FedEx Cup standings and was all but assured of being one of the top five seeds at the Tour Championship who have a clear shot at the $10 million bonus.
Also on his mind is playing for no money at all at the Ryder Cup. DeChambeau narrowly missed earning one of the eight automatic spots for the U.S. team when he missed the cut at the PGA Championship. Furyk makes three of his four captain’s picks a week from Tuesday, and it will be tough to ignore a 24-year-old Californian with victories at the Memorial and a FedEx Cup playoff event. He moves to No. 12 in the world.
“If I can keep playing the way I am, I think I can do great things,” DeChambeau said.
Billy Horschel (68) and Cameron Smith (69) tied for third. Dustin Johnson’s only consolation was four birdies over the final four holes for a 68 that enabled him to stay No. 1 in the world over U.S. Open and PGA champion Brooks Koepka by a narrow margin.
LPGA: Brooke Henderson became the first Canadian to win the country’s national championship in 45 years, closing with a 7-under 65 for a four-stroke victory in the CP Women’s Open at Wascana Country Club in Regina, Saskatchewan. The 20-year-old finished at 21-under 267, capping the victory with a short birdie putt on the par-4 18th.
Jocelyne Bourassa is the only other Canadian to win the national championship, accomplishing the feat in 1973 in Montreal.
Angel Yin was second after a 68. Jennifer Song (67) was six back at 15 under.
European Tour: Andrea Pavanproducedastrongfinish on the way to a 5-under 67 to win the Czech Masters for his first European Tour title. Pavan birdied No. 17 to close at 22-under 266 for a twostroke victory over Padraig Harrington at the Albatross Golf Resort near Prague.
Champions: Kevin Sutherland shot a 12-under 60 Saturday at the Boeing Classic in Snoqualmie, Wash., birdieing the final four holes to finish a stroke off his own PGA Tour Champions record.
Needing an eagle on the par-5 18th for another 59, Sutherland made a birdie after missing the green with a 3-iron approach. He was tied for the lead with Ken Tanigawa at 14-under 130.
In 2014, Sutherland became the only player to break 60 in the history of the 50-and-over tour, shooting a 13-under 59 in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open. On Saturday, Sutherland played the back nine in 7-under 29, also birdieing Nos. 10, 12 and 13. He opened with three pars in cold conditions, then birdied No. 4 and Nos. 6-9.