Justin Thomas almost lost the Sentry Tournament of Champions on the 18th hole of regulation of the final round on the Plantation Course, but that is where he eventually won it.
The fourth-ranked Thomas sank a five-foot birdie putt on the third playoff hole to turn back Patrick Reed and capture the TOC for the second time in four years at Kapalua Resort outside https://golfatkapalua.com Lahaina, Maui.
Ninth-ranked Xander Schauffele of La Jolla also was in the playoff, but dropped out on the first extra hole when he made only a par as Thomas and Reed recorded birdies.
“For some reason I supposed to win this week, but I was lucky to have that putt to win,” said Thomas, who joined Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to have 12 victories on the PGA Tour by the age of 27. “I was very fortunate, but I just stuck to the process and because of that I still had a chance to win.
“I truly felt through 15 holes this was one of the best rounds I’ve ever played. I was in such control from tee to green and my irons were awesome. But 18 was just a disaster. I didn’t hit very many good shots there, but it worked out.
“You need things to go your way and they definitely did today and I’m glad to be coming back here (next year as defending champion).”
Thomas took a one-stroke lead to the final hole of regulation, but hit his approach shot into the high grass short of the green and made a bogey to close with a 4-under-par 69, but defending champion Schauffele missed a seven-foot birdie putt to win the tournament and finished at 70.
Reed, who won the TOC in 2015, was already finished after a 66 that was the low round of the day and joined the playoff by winding up even with Thomas and Schauffele with a score of 14-under 278.
“It was a solid day, 8-under-par for 21 for holes, some great golf, but it stings at the end of the day when you don’t win when you have a chance,” said Reed, who sank a 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole of regulation, but missed a seven-footer that would have sent the playoff to Monday as darkness closed in.
“I needed help to get into the playoff and they gave it to me, but unfortunately wasn’t able to capitalize. I had a couple of chance to win, but couldn’t get it done. It’s all about winning, and I didn’t get it done.”
Seventh-ranked Patrick Cantlay of Los Alamitos and UCLA birdied four of the last five holes to close with a 68 and finished three strokes behind in solo fourth, while Rickie Fowler of Murrieta totaled 69 and was four back in a tie for fifth with Joaquin Niemann of Chile, who finished at 70.
Fifth-ranked Dustin Johnson, who won at Kapalua in 2013 and 2018, shot 69 and wound up five down in a tie for seventh with Collin Morikawa of La Canada Flintridge and Cal, who had a 71, and reigning U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland, who wound up at 72.
Third-ranked Jon Rahm of Spain couldn’t buy a putt all day and finished one more down in solo 10th after a 72.
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