KIZZIRE MOVES TO WORLD NO.54
Week 2

Patton Kizzire outlasted James Hahn in six extra holes to win the Sony Open to become the first multiple winner on the PGA TOUR this season.

Chris Paisley sealed his first Sunshine and European Tour victory following an impressive three-stroke victory at the BMW SA Open Championship Proudly hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni.

Australian Matthew Millar won the inaugural REBEL Sport Masters by four shots at the Wainui Golf Club.


15TH JANUARY 2018 | 07:08 AM

PGA Tour – Sony Open in Hawaii

Patton Kizzire outlasted James Hahn in six extra holes to win the Sony Open to become the first multiple winner on the PGA TOUR this season.

Kizzire, who won the OHL Classic in Mexico last fall, closed with a 2-under 68.

James Hahn shot 62 in the final round Sunday and got into a playoff with Kizzire at 17-under 263.

They matched two pars and two birdies on the par-5 18th. They matched pars when they went to the par-3 17th. It ended on the par 3 along the Pacific Ocean when Hahn putted from right of the green to about 8 feet, and his par putt caught the lip.

"It wasn't pretty," Kizzire said. "I'll take it any way I can get it."

Hahn, who won both his PGA TOUR events in playoffs at Riviera and Quail Hollow, had birdie putts from 10 feet and 6 feet on the par-5 18th hole at Waialae Country Club that would have won it. He made a 6-foot birdie another time to extend the playoff.

Kizzire had to get up-and-down from a bunker for par on the first extra hole, making a 7-footer to stay alive.

This was the longest playoff on the PGA TOUR since Bryce Molder won the Frys.com Open in 2012 in eight extra holes.


Sunshine / European Tour - BMW SA Open hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni

Chris Paisley sealed his first Sunshine and European Tour victory following an impressive three-stroke victory at the BMW SA Open Championship Proudly hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni.

His three-stroke victory over South African fan favourite Branden Grace broke local fans’ hearts, but it was a display that showed he was a worthy champion as the hometown charge ended up falling short of his brilliant efforts which netted him his first professional title.

“I didn’t think I was capable of playing that well in that scenario,” said Paisley. “Just to go out and play that solid is amazing.”

It looked likely that Grace was going to run away with the title after Paisley found his overnight one-shot lead erased as the South African started birdie-eagle to hit the front.

Paisley, who had his wife Keri on his bag, had made birdie on two in a solid start, and found himself trailing. “I actually just looked over at Keri and just kind of laughed,” he said. “I started par-birdie which I was really happy with but he went birdie-eagle so, I mean there’s obviously a long way to go after that – still 16 holes – so I knew I just had to keep plugging away and hope for the best.”

The best was good enough for five more birdies on his way to his win, while Grace made double-bogey five on the sixth and bogey on 12 to relinquish whatever edge he might have had over Paisley as Grace’s frustration at not being able to sink any meaningful putts grew.

As the end drew nearer, Paisley also had to deal with a crowd that was increasingly vocal in its desire to see a South African champion crowned. “I actually enjoyed it,” he said. “They were obviously a lot louder for his good shots but that’s obviously understandable. I loved it. And as it became clear to them that I was going to win, they became very supportive, and I really appreciated it. And the reception they gave me as I walked up the 18th is something that I want to experience every time I play.”


PGA Tour of Australasia – REBEL Sports Masters

Australian Matthew Millar won the inaugural REBEL Sport Masters by four shots at the Wainui Golf Club.

Beginning the final round two shots behind leader, New Zealander Daniel Pearce, Millar fired a round of 4-under 67 for a tournament total 11-under 273 and to become the first winner of the 2018 ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia season.

“I went out there today just trying to mind my own business, just trying to play my shots and knuckle down on every single one of them, I didn’t want to see any leader boards,” said Millar.

“I’m thrilled with the win and just really happy not to have dropped any shots out there today.”

Playing in gusty winds, Millar showed his experience and patience around the Wainui layout to remain bogey free and take out the tournament in fine style.

“I felt really good, there were just a couple coming in at the end, I hit a clunky wedge shot at the last,” added Millar.

“I had the ball under control and thank god I did because it was quite tricky today. I set myself a goal if I could get to 11 or 12-under today I’d be pretty hard to beat.”

The win is a just reward for Millar who is one of the most consistent Professionals on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, he recorded five top-10 finishes on the Tour last year including a seventh at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth.

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