Brandt Snedeker grabbed his first title on the PGA TOUR in 2,821 days thanks to a thrilling one-shot victory at the Myrtle Beach Classic
The 45-year-old American, who will lead the U.S. team at the upcoming Presidents Cup, came into the final round at Dunes Golf and Beach Club three shots off the lead but produced a promising start to the day with birdies at the 2nd and 4th. Overnight leader Mark Hubbard repeated the feat to maintain his advantage but was the first to stumble with bogeys at the 6th and 8th to open the door for Snedeker. He duly took advantage with consecutive birdies at the 12th and 13th to take over the lead.
Hubbard fought back with three birdies in a four-hole stretch to regain the lead but that did not last long due to a dropped shot at the 16th. Snedeker once again took advantage with a birdie at the 17th but the pressure levels rose when Snedeker made bogey at the last leaving him to card a 5-under 66 to finish on 18 under and experience a tense wait to see if Hubbard would snatch victory. But that was not the case as Hubbard matched Snedeker’s bogey to end on 17 under which cemented Snedeker’s long-awaited return to the winners circle on the circuit for the first time since the 2018 Wyndham Championship.
“It’s been a rollercoaster,” said Snedeker. “I feel amazing. I feel so lucky to still be out here still doing what I love to do.
“To have a chance to win a golf tournament at my age and to be able to pull it out is something super special. I’m just so pumped. I don’t know what else to say”
The victory marks Snedeker’s 10th career victory on the PGA TOUR and earns him a place at the upcoming PGA Championship.
Hubbard, who was seeking a first PGA TOUR triumph on his 274th start, reflected on the opportunities he had to swing the tide in his favor.
“I thought I hit a much better wedge shot in there,” Hubbard said. “I thought it was going to get a lot closer, and the putt I left myself was 5 feet of break down grain. So it’s not a putt you’re going to make too much. I was just happy I gave it a good run.”
American duo Kevin Roy and Beau Hossler finished in a share for third on 16 under while England’s Aaron Rai completed the top-5 on 15 under.
What is the next event?
The next event on the PGA TOUR schedule is the PGA Championship taking place between 14-17 May at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.