Kim holds off Cantlay for third career win
LA QUINTA: Si Woo Kim shot an 8under 64, just enough to hold off Patrick Cantlay’s finalround charge and wrap up The American Express tournament in La Quinta, California, yesterday.
Kim’s third consecutive bogeyfree round included eight birdies, occurring four times on consecutive holes, concluding on Nos 16 and 17, before a closing par on the Stadium Course. It was Kim’s third career win on the PGA Tour, and he finished third at last week’s Sony Open.
The South Korean held off Cantlay, who fired the best round of the day, 11under 61, to finish at 22under.
He set the course record by two strokes in the process. He also finished bogeyfree on the day, one of five players to do so, with 11 birdies and seven pars, accelerating his pace from Sunday’s 65 that kept him in contention.
Kim said he was well aware of how well Cantlay was playing.
‘‘I knew Cantlay played really well. I tried to keep patient and believe in myself. I got the chance on 16 and 17, and that’s when I could make it. I feel good about myself,’’ Kim said.
Cantlay, who began the day tied for 13th at 11under, posted birdies on four of his first six holes, and again on three of his final four. His nine birdies on Sunday had been his career best.
‘‘I knew they still had a bunch of holes left, but really I put myself so behind the eight ball,’’ Cantlay said, referring to shooting 69 and 71 on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
‘‘I played unbelievable this weekend. I did everything I could. Just going to be a shot short.’’
Australia’s Cameron Davis finished alone in third place, his best finish on the PGA Tour, at 20under, thanks to a bogeyfree 8under 64. He was hot at the start, posting six birdies on the front nine.
Tony Finau, who began the day tied atop the leaderboard with Kim and Max Homa, shot 4under 68. He could not overcome two bogeys in a fourhole span on the back nine and finished alone in fourth place at 19under 269, but was not downbeat about his showing.
‘‘A couple of those guys just went really low today. I had some opportunities, I think, to shoot a number. But man, I’m kind of leaving today pretty encouraged. I played nicely,’’ Finau said.
Homa had a worse fate, ballooning to a 4over 76 thanks to four bogeys, with only two birdies yesterday. He finished at 11under 277.
The defending champion, Andrew Landry, fired his second consecutive 2over 74 to end at 1under 287.
Tied for fifth at 15under 273 were Mexico’s Abraham Ancer (a final round 66), Michael Thompson (66) and Doug Ghim (69). — Field Level Media