Streb holds off Kisner in RSM Classic playoff

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Robert Streb might want to take up permanent residence at Sea Island Resort.

The 33- year- old Oklahoma native who calls Kansas home has won both of his PGA Tour titles at the Resort’s Seaside Course. He did so in dramatic fashion Sunday, nearly holing a pitching wedge from 159 yards on the second playoff hole and tapping in for birdie to defeat Kevin Kisner and win the RSM Classic for the second time.

“Obviously came out perfect, landed soft,” Streb said of his winning shot. “It was going to need a little fortune to get close and I got it.”

It was a battle of past champions at the RSM Classic as Streb, whose previous lone victory came at this event in 2014, was caught on the back nine by Kisner, the 2015 champion, who erased a five- stroke deficit by making five birdies in his first 10 holes.

Streb, who led by three strokes entering the final round, made two birdies on the front nine and extended his streak to 55 holes without a bogey until he dropped a shot at No. 13. Kisner pulled in front with a birdie at the par- 5 15th and was the first player to get to 19 under, but he failed to deliver the knockout punch, making par at his final three holes to shoot 7- under 63 and missing a 15- foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole. Kisner’s playoff record fell to 0- 5.

“Hats off to Robert,” Kisner said. “He hit a heck of a shot on 18 and he played great as well to come back, birdie 17, and he’s a deserving champion.”

Streb hasn’t finished in the top 125 in the FedExCup standings in the past three seasons, and his form didn’t suggest he’d earn his first title in six years. He shot in the 60s three times in his last 12 rounds before the event but posted four rounds in the 60s and closed with a 2- under 68 to finish with a 19- under 263.

SAM GREENWOOD/ GETTY IMAGES Robert Streb celebrates after winning in a sudden- death playoff Sunday against Kevin Kisner in the final round of the RSM Classic.