The PGA Tour’s first event back under the new Covid-19 restrictions produced an exciting finish for TV fans, as America’s Daniel Berger clinched the Charles Schwab Challenge at the first extra hole of a playoff with Collin Morikawa in a tense final round at Colonial Country Club in Texas.
No fewer than 10 players were battling for the lead throughout the last 18 holes of the PGA Tour’s return to action, and it was Berger who emerged as the champion when Morikawa’s par putt from four feet lipped out with Berger already in for a par-four.
It proved the second bad miss in a row for Morikawa, who had a putt for victory in regulation play after clipping his second shot to five feet on the 18th, only to pull the birdie chance left of the target and left him a tap-in for his third consecutive 67, which left him in a tie at the top with Berger on 15 under par.
In the play-off, Berger gained the advantage when he split the 17th fairway with an iron off the tee after Morikawa had carved his into the trees, from where he managed to smother his second and chased it up short and left of the green. Berger found the rough at the back of the green with his approach, although he had a routine up-and-down to save par, while Morikawa played a pitch which rolled out to three feet, only for him to lip out with his par attempt, which handed Berger the title.
Berger, who was ranked 107th in the world before the event, and enjoyed his last tour win was over three years ago, won over $1.35m and now moves into the world’s top 50. Speaking after picking up the trophy and the red checked jacket that comes with it, He said: “It felt a little different out there for sure, but in the end, I was holding the trophy – and that’s all that matters to me. There was so many times today when I could have given it up or let the pressure get to me, but I hung in there and I played practically some of the best golf I’ve played the last six years over the last five holes.”
The pair finished one clear of Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose and long-time leader Xander Schauffele, with Jason Kokrak’s late charge also earning a share of third place, while the hopes of Rory McIlroy were dashed by a semi-shank with his second to the first which set the tone for an outward 41 which took him out of the running. Schauffele, the third-round leader, looked in control of his game throughout the day and he was two under through 14 holes, before making an awful mistake at 15, where he pulled his approach too far left and found the water hazard resulting in a costly bogey. He then lipped out from three feet on 17 to fall out of the running. Rose, who led on day one, birdied 12, 13 and 17, and thought he had made another at the last, only for his ball to clip the edge of the hole and stay out.
DeChambeau found himself as the outright leader when he holed from the fringe at the 15th, but a bogey on 16 cost him a place in the play-off as he signed for a 66 to finish in a share of third with Rose, Schauffele and Kokrak, whose final-round 64 was the best of the day.
Daniel Berger’s winning clubs
Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero (10.5)
3-wood: Callaway Epic Flash
Irons: Callaway Apex 16 (3), TaylorMade MC Forged 11 (4-PW)
Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy Forged (50, 56); Callaway Mack Daddy 4 (60)
Putter: TaylorMade Spider X Chalk
Ball: Titleist Pro V1