Hey, hey, Na wins Sony Open
American rallies from 3 shots back in final 6 holes for dramatic victory
HONOLULU —The spoils at the Sony Open belonged to Kevin Na, a winner for the fourth straight season after coming from three shots behind with six holes to play for a one-shot victory with a birdie on the final hole.
The Sony Open is typically so crowded at the top that no one is safe and no one is ever out of it. Na only looked to be out of it when he missed a 6-foot birdie putt on the 11th and then threeputted for bogey from 40 feet on the 12th to fall three shots behind Brendan Steele.
He answered with three straight birdies, Steele faltered at Waialae for the second straight year, and Na delivered the winning shot with a 5-wood from the rough that went just over the back of the green on the par-5 18th, leaving him a simple up-and-down for birdie and a a 5-under 65.
“I was playing maybe a little bit more aggressive coming down the stretch, not worrying so much about second or third, more focused on just that — winning,” the American Na said said. “Every year, I hope to win and I expect to win on the right golf courses.”
Chris Kirk and Joaquin Niemann (66) finished one shot behind, and it only felt good to one of them. Niemann was runner-up for the second straight week in Hawaii. He finished the two Hawaii events at 45-under par without a trophy to show for it. “Just another good week, so happy for that,” Niemann said. He leaves Hawaii with $1,369,400 in earnings.
Na collected his fifth career victory on the PGA Tour. Na, who turned pro out of high school, didn’t win until his eighth season. It was seven more seasons until he won again. Now he’s up to four seasons in a row.
“I think experience is the reason why I’ve been winning,” he said. “When you do it again, you know it seems like the next one comes easier.