WESTY PIPPED IN CLIFF HANGER
Thomas surges through as Lee misses out again
ADD this year’s Players Championship at Sawgrass to the collection of near misses that have littered Lee Westwood’s illustrious career in the big events.
For the second week running, it was a top-drawer american who pipped him, as Justin thomas became only the second player after tiger Woods to win this title, a major and more than ten PGa tour wins before the age of 28.
He certainly enjoyed some good fortune at the finish. His drive at the 18th last night looked destined for the water but hopped right instead of left and the 27-year-old let out an enormous sigh of relief.
He finished on 274 after a round of 68 for a one-stroke victory over Westwood, with fellow americans Bryson DeChambeau and Brian Harman a further shot adrift. Paul Casey finished tied fifth.
the smooth rhythm that had been the hallmark of Westwood’s play over the first three days was missing for the final round. at 47, there was no shame in that, of course. the wonder is that he was still there at the death for the second week running.
It was another extraordinary final round that built to its gripping crescendo following a start that no one could possibly have predicted. You think you’ve seen everything but what happened at the fourth surely added another page.
DeChambeau certainly echoed the thoughts of the watching millions when he turned to his caddie and exclaimed: ‘Oh my gosh, what is going on?’
We’d tuned in expecting a sterling re-run between the biggest draw in the sport and Britain’s sporting marvel Westwood and, on this hole, it was more like the Sawgrass monthly medal.
Not good players in the medal, either. the hole only measures 382 yards, for goodness sake. If there wasn’t a creek in front of the green, DeChambeau would have had a go at driving it. Instead he played safe with a three wood and — believe it or not — stone-cold topped it into a water hazard. What a break for Westwood. except one of the great long-game players hit his three wood 40 yards off line into another water hazard.
When DeChambeau hit his third shot off the planet to the right, it was hardly surprising he should scream his frustration, and the viewing audience nod their agreement.
as it was, it took a world-class chip from DeChambeau to rescue a double bogey. Westwood was relieved to walk off with a five.
this was the first time since such stats began in 2003 that two players in the final group one week had made it through to the same pairing seven days later.
the duo had played out a classic at the arnold Palmer Invitational a week earlier before DeChambeau claimed the title on the final green.
Westwood made the ideal start with a birdie at the first to extend his lead but what followed was a decidedly untypical half-hour from the englishman.
a bogey at the second following an errant tee shot was his first such mistake since 9.30am on thursday but another followed shortly after at the remarkable fourth.
Jittery shots continued to be a feature of his play but his putting under pressure was thankfully secure and a welcome birdie at the ninth meant he had restored his two-shot lead.
So to the back nine, with its wonderful collection of risk/ reward holes. It was crying out for someone to grab the event by the scruff of the neck, and the first to generate some noise was thomas. He’s had his share of problems so far this year, from the fallout following his ugly homophobic slur after missing a short putt, to his grandfather and mentor passing away. Now he made his move. a birdie at the tenth was followed by an eagle at the par five 11th, where he struck two wonderful shots to 20ft and rolled in the eagle putt. For the first time since Friday, Westwood was not leading.
a birdie at the 12th meant thomas had played four holes in a row in five under par for a twostroke lead.
Drama was now following at every turn. thomas three-putted the 14th, while Westwood made an incredible birdie at the 14th after driving into a fairway bunker to draw level.
What a finish ensued. the result might not have struck a blow for the old-timers but it was another grand occasion at Sawgrass. the Players never fails to deliver.