Aaron Rai secured his first career PGA TOUR triumph after snatching a two-shot victory in a dramatic Wyndham Championship.
The 29-year-old Englishman found himself with a four-shot deficit at Sedgefield Country Club following the par-4 13th after Max Greyserman eagled. But then a spectacular collapse on the hole after which saw Greyserman drive out-of-bounds and consequently make a quadruple bogey saw him tied for the lead alongside Rai. A birdie at 15 saw the American get back on track but a double bogey at the 16th and two pars at the final two holes completed his implosion carding a one-under 69.
A six-foot birdie on the final hole meant that Rai carded a 6-under 64 in the final round to end the tournament two clear of Greyserman and therefore claim a maiden PGA TOUR title.
“It truly is a dream come true,” Rai said. “So many people have played a huge role in me being at this point.
“There’s a huge team behind me and I wouldn’t be here without all of them. I am just extremely happy and grateful to be here and to surrounded by great people.”
America’s J.J. Spaun and Japan’s Ryo Hisatsume finished tied-third on 15 under while America’s Luke Clanton completed the top five finishing a shot further back.
Second-round leader Matt Kuchar finished tied for 12th, meaning he will miss the FedExCup Playoffs for the first time since the series began in 2007, as he ended up outside the top 70 in the standings.
What is the next event?
The next event on the PGA TOUR schedule is the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the opening event of the FedExCup Playoffs, taking place between 15-18 August at TPC Southwind in Tennessee.