Corey Conners wins $300,000 for charity through RSM's Birdies Fore Love program

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TULSA, Okla. — Justin Thomas is a major champion when he least expected it. Thomas matched a PGA Championship record Sunday when he rallied from a seven-shot deficit at Southern Hills, and then saved his most exquisite shot-making for a three-hole playoff to defeat Will Zalatoris. He closed with a 3-under 67, matching the low score of a final round made difficult more by nerves than the wind. He seized control in the playoff with a 3-wood to 35 feet on the 301-yard 17th hole for a two-putt birdie. He tapped in for par and stood tall with a smile, a mixture of joy and disbelief. “I was asked early in the week what lead is safe and I said, ‘No lead,’” Thomas said. “I can’t believe I found myself in a playoff.” Thomas needed plenty of help, and Mito Pereira provided it in a tragic finish. The 27-year-old from Chile, playing in only his second major, took a one-shot lead to the final hole and drove into a creek to make double bogey. It was the first time since Phil Mickelson at Winged Foot in the 2006 U.S. Open that a player lost a one-shot lead in the final hole to lose a major. Zalatoris looked like he had thrown away his chances for a first major — and first PGA TOUR victory — when he three-putted from just outside 20 feet on the 16th hole. But he responded with a birdie from the bunker at the 17th and holed an 8-foot par putt on the 18th for a 71. He joined Thomas at 5-under 275, and they played on when Pereira faltered. Thomas had gone 14 months without winning, dating to THE PLAYERS Championship last year. Now he has a pair of PGA Championship titles with his 15 career victories. John Mahaffey in the 1978 PGA Championship at Oakmont was the other player to come from seven shots behind on the final day. He also won in a playoff over Tom Watson and Jerry Pate.

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There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned Texas showdown and some of the PGA TOUR’s best stars are lining up to take their shot at glory at TPC San Antonio for this week’s Valero Texas Open. Trying to imagine some of our modern stars as characters in the old west … you’d have to say Jimmy Walker would probably hold his own as a sheriff or lawman … he already looks pretty decent in a pair of cowboy boots. What about Billy Horschel? He strikes us as someone who would be up for a scrap … and someone you’d want in your corner in a shootout. And Jhonny Vegas? He could be one scary hombre. Then there is Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler who provide some serious star power to the event this week … but as far as old west characters … we reckon they’d more likely be the clever card sharps than the sharp shooters … finding the most efficient ways towards a goal without getting their hands too dirty. Here’s a look at some of the Featured Groups (FedExCup ranking in parenthesis). HOW TO FOLLOW TELEVISION: Thursday-Friday, 4-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Saturday, 1-3:30 p.m. (GC), 3:30-6 p.m. (NBC). Sunday, 1-2:30 p.m. (GC), 2:30-6 p.m. (NBC). PGA TOUR LIVE: Thursday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. (featured groups). Saturday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (featured groups), 3:30-6 p.m. (featured holes). Fans can watch via Twitter window from 8:30 a.m. ET to approx. 9:30 a.m. Thurs/Fri and 10:30 a.m. ET to approx. 11:45a.m. ET Sat/Sun There will be a fan vote on Twitter Thursday to determine second Friday Featured Group. International subscribers (via GOLF.tv): Thursday-Friday, 12:30 to 23:00 GMT. Saturday-Sunday, 15:00 to 22:00. RADIO: Thursday-Friday, 1-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 1-6 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com). Billy Horschel (53) – Former FedExCup champion who boasts top four finishes at TPC San Antonio in the past and was T11 last year. Hasn’t missed a cut in eight months. Jordan Spieth (177) – Former FedExCup champion with 11 PGA TOUR wins including multiple majors returns to TPC San Antonio for the first time since he was runner up in 2015. Was 10th the year prior. Jhonattan Vegas (54) – Third at THE PLAYERS recently. Last nine rounds have been par or better. Round 1 tee time: 1:40 p.m. ET Round 2 tee time: 8:50 a.m. ET J.B. Holmes (18) – Winner at the Genesis Open in February, Holmes has three top 15s at TPC San Antonio. Adam Long (28) – Winner at the Desert Classic Long is continuing his push for Rookie of the Year honors. Graeme McDowell (42) – Fresh off his fourth PGA TOUR win at the Corales PuntaCana Resort and Club Championship. Round 1 tee time: 1:50 p.m. ET Round 2 tee time: 9:00 a.m. ET Rickie Fowler (10) – The Waste Management Phoenix Open winner earlier this season stumps up for his first time playing at TPC San Antonio. Andrew Landry (166) – The defending champion at TPC San Antonio looking for some positive vibes to kick start his FedExCup challenge this season. Jimmy Walker (180) – Winner in 2015 and four other top-16 results at TPC San Antonio including fourth place last season. Just the place Walker needs to reinvigorate his season. Round 1 tee time: 8:50 a.m. ET, Round 2 tee time: 1:40 p.m. ET Tony Finau (26) – Was T3 in 2017, his last start at TPC San Antonio. Has top 25s in his last three stroke play starts. Jim Furyk (21) – The veteran and former FedExCup champion has found a purple patch of form and will be looking to add to his two previous top-10s at TPC San Antonio. Matt Kuchar (1) – The FedExCup leader smarting from his championship loss to Kevin Kisner at WGC – Dell Technologies Match Play. Two-time winner this season and has yet to miss a cut in seven starts at TPC San Antonio where he was T4 in 2014. Round 1 tee time: 9:00 a.m. ET Round 2 tee time: 1:50 p.m. ET

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