Tournament of Champions: Harris’ first English birdie hole to fend off Joaquin Niemann | Golf news

After more than seven years without a win on the PGA Tour, Harris English finally claimed his third title after a birdie on the extra first hole edged Joaquin Niemann at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

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The best shots and crucial moments of the final day of the 2021 PGA Tour debut event in Maui, where Harris English edged Joaquin Niemann in the playoffs.

Harris English is back in the PGA Tour winner’s circle after defeating Joaquin Niemann in the playoffs at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Maui.

Niemann came into contention with a closing 64 that could have been better had he not missed a six-foot birdie on the last, while the Englishman also had a chance to win in settlement after a superb second in the 72nd green, only for his eagle putt so as not to have the required rhythm.

But the English didn’t make a mistake from the same distance on the first barrage, slamming into a confident putt for their first win in more than seven years after Niemann shot his second left off the green, namely fell short with his chip and left his birdie putt 18 inches short.

The first two had finished tied for the lead with 25 under, one ahead of Justin Thomas after the world No.3 carded a 66 as he admitted he was distracted by the fallout of his controversial homophobic slur that spoiled the third day in Kapalua.

An embarrassed Thomas offered a heartfelt apology after his third round after using an offensive term after a missed putt early in his round, and the incident was still on his mind throughout the final day as he fought hard to keep his title.

Joaquin Niemann closed with a 64 but missed a crucial chance on the last

He would end up winning a pre-play-off shot after a damaging bogey in the 17th, his first spot of the day, and a birdie at the last simply secured a podium as he considered how best to repair his tarnished reputation.

The English had shared the lead overnight with Ryan Palmer, but both struggled in more windy conditions on the top nine as Niemann emerged from the field and stormed to the top of the standings.

The young Chilean carded six birdies in a superb outside 30 and collected more shots at 11, 14 and 16 as the Englishman got back into contention with three consecutive birdies from 11th and another at 15, although his third bogey of the week at 16 seemed to have left too much ground to catch up with the leader.

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But Niemann didn’t allow enough break with his bird putt on the final green and tapped for a disappointing par and signed for a 64 before having a uplifting conversation with Sergio Garcia en route to the training ground.

Thomas needed an eagle on the last to equalize, and he figured he would have a decent shot from close range as he watched his second, only to recoil in frustration when his ball fell off the green and just failed to get on the putting. area.

The two-time champion got up and down for a birdie and a 66 and left the stage open for the final couple, the Englishman bracing himself with an eagle putt for outright victory after a delicious draw with a three-iron landed on the green and came to rest six feet past the hairpin.

Justin Thomas came in short after dealing with Saturday’s controversy

The Englishman’s putt lacked conviction and offered Niemann a reprieve, but the American was not to be turned down and closed the third victory of his career – and his first since November 2013 – impressively.

Palmer had three of the last four holes to tie for fourth in his last Zozo Championship start in October, while Bryson DeChambeau (66) and Jon Rahm (67) tied for seventh place on 20 under with Collin Morikawa , who tripped over a fence 73.

World No.1 Dustin Johnson threatened something special earlier in the day when he recovered from a bogey to second with six birdies over the next seven holes, but he couldn’t keep his charge on the last nine and settled for a 69 to finish. 18 cents alongside Sergio Garcia.