Tiger Woods overcomes awful start to fire opening 70 at PGA Championship

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – News and notes from the final round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow where Justin Thomas fired a 68 to win his first major championship  by two strokes. For more information on the final round, click here to read The Daily Wrap. THOMAS WINS AMONGST FRIENDS We’ve seen those SB2K17 spring break pictures from the Bahamas plastered all over social media. Think Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler swimming, soaking up the sun, sinking putts and shooting hoops. A pint-sized pig even nosed his way into some of the photos. On Sunday at Quail Hollow, Spieth and Fowler stood as inconspicuously as they could on the 18th fairway watching as their best bud won his first major championship. “It’s awesome and I think they know I would do the same for them,â€� Thomas said. “It’s a cool little friendship we have.â€� Also on hand was Bud Cauley, Thomas’ roommate in Jupiter, Florida, and also a former Alabama golfer, who teed off at 9:35 a.m. in the 10th group of the day. “I just didn’t believe Bud Cauley stayed around,â€� Thomas said. “He’s one of my best friends. I was about ten minutes from going to tee off and he was walking off to go sign his scorecard. “So he hung around for an entire 18 holes just to stick around, and not knowing what could happen.â€� Spieth, who won the Open Championship last month, had started the final round 11 shots off the pace, his chance to complete the career Grand Slam essentially gone. When he finished off his round of 70, though, Spieth could tell things were going Thomas’ way. Fowler, who is seeking his first major championship, was in the thick of things, playing just six groups ahead of Thomas. He shot 67 and waited with Spieth, both players maintaining a low profile and letting the spotlight shine on their friend. “But I think that kind of shows, you know, where the game is right now, where all of us are,â€� Thomas said. “I mean, we obviously all want to win. We want to beat the other person. “But if we can’t win, we at least want to enjoy it with our friends. I think that we’ll all be able to enjoy this together, and I know it’s going to make them more hungry, just like it did me, for Jordan at the British, or whatever you want to say.â€� REED SETTLES IN The way Patrick Reed saw it, Sunday was a microcosm of his season. Yes, he had a chance to win the PGA Championship. But everything had to fall into place, and while Reed closed to within a shot as the Green Mile loomed, Justin Thomas was just too strong. “This year’s kind of been, kind of the moral of the story of today,â€� Reed said with a sigh. “Very frustrating; a lot of good things going on, but falling just a little short.â€� He knew he had no margin for error on Sunday. Reed started the final round of the PGA Championship five strokes off the lead. He couldn’t afford to make bogeys. He couldn’t squander birdie opportunities, either – not on a course like Quail Hollow. Reed succeeded in making birdies, carving out seven through 15 holes. But he gave three shots back with bogeys, including at the 18th, and ended up falling two shy of victory. “To be as far back as I was coming in today, to win a golf tournament, you have to make every one of them,â€� Reed said. “You can’t sit there and you can’t miss putts. Even if they are 30-footers, if you’re that far back to win, you have to make all of them. “Unfortunately I wasn’t able to do that, and that’s why I’m sitting here disappointed.â€� Still, Sunday’s tie for second came with some positives. It was, after all, Reed’s first top 10 in 16 major championship starts and his best finish of the season, as well. The five-time PGA TOUR champ also moved inside the top 10 for an automatic Presidents Cup berth.  Most of all, though, Reed came away pleased by how comfortable he felt being in contention at one of the game’s biggest events. “My first two years at the majors, I was putting too much pressure on myself,â€� Reed said. “I was making them way bigger than they needed to be. They are still golf tournaments. There’s still 72 holes. You’ve got to go out and play some good golf. “At the end of the day, what I loved to see was when I got in contention today, when I went on that run to get myself actually in the golf tournament … I didn’t feel any different. I didn’t feel any pressure.â€� KISNER HUNGRY FOR MORE Kevin Kisner was nothing if not resilient at the PGA Championship. He held at least a share of the lead after each of the first three rounds, and even when Kisner finally lost it on Sunday, he kept fighting back. In the end, though, the treacherous Green Mile – and the surging Thomas – simply proved too much for him. But Kisner is ready for more.  “It’s fun trying to compete,â€� he said.  “Fun trying to see what you can do. There’s only a certain number of people in the world that get that opportunity, and that’s why we’re out here.â€� Kisner says he gets his tenacity from his parents. And nowhere was that determination on display more than during the 2015-16 season when he lost in three playoffs before picking up his first win last fall.  “They taught me about being a good person and believing in yourself,â€� Kisner said. “And to be the best you’ve got to work hard and that’s what I’ve done in my career.â€� This week at Quail Hollow, Kisner, who ranks 127th in driving distance, was able to offset that deficit with a red-hot putter. At least through the first three rounds. On Sunday, though, the putts that fell early in the week spun out of the cup. Kisner estimated he missed at least three of 8 feet or less but even so, he was feeling good about his chances. “I really liked the way I started out, hitting the ball solid and gave myself a lot of looks,â€� Kisner said. “Just not making the putts that I need to make to win major championships A waterlogged approach at the par-5 seventh was a jolt to the system. It led to his first bogey and is something Kisner says will “hauntâ€� him. “I actually went back for one more club and got too greedy with it,â€� he said. “That should be — that’s one of the holes I have to make 4 on to compete, and walk away with 6 was painful.â€� A birdie at the 10th hole was followed by back-to-back bogeys. But Kisner rolled in birdie putts at Nos. 14 and 15 to get within a touch of Thomas before he faltered over the Green Mile, playing it in 3 over for the second straight day. “That’s not going to be fun to look at,â€� Kisner said. “I thought I had to get to 10 starting the day to win and that was about right. I had every opportunity. I just didn’t finish it off.â€� ODDS AND ENDS Chris Stroud picked up his first PGA TOUR win seven days ago at the Barracuda Championship. On Sunday, he played in the final group at the PGA Championship and ended up with his first top 10 in a major, a tie for ninth. Not a bad week’s work. Stroud, undaunted by the closing 76, called it a “dream come true,â€� adding later the experience was “absolutely unbelievable.â€� “You know, all these guys, J.T., I mean, he’s a deserving champion.â€� Stroud said. “He came out hard. Once he won, everybody knew he was going to win a lot, and he won two in a row, I think, this year, both in Hawai’i he won, Mr. 59. “These guys are really good. The commercial’s right.â€� … As if the Green Mile isn’t taxing enough, Jon Rahm had an added challenge on the 18th hole. His approach landed on the bank of the creek. He had no stance and ended up standing to the side of the ball, facing away from the green. Rahm then held the club backwards in his right hand and made contact, advancing the ball onto the green. He then two-putted for bogey – which certainly would have made the great Seve Ballesteros proud. “If I tried to stand in front of the ball, I’d really have to chop it down,â€� Rahm said. “The only way to hit it on line would be to hit in front of my legs, so that was no option. I’m not gonna hit it left-handed because that’s too much of a gamble for me. And I couldn’t stand in the water because it was so high. “To me, it seemed like the only logical option. It’s straight back, it’s straight backthrough. It’s a very consistent movement.â€� Louis Oosthuizen, who shot 70 on Sunday and tied for second with Francesco Molinari and Reed, has now finished runner-up in all the majors – and THE PLAYERS Championship. He lost in a playoff to Bubba Watson at the 2012 Masters, tied for second at the 2015 U.S. Open and Open Championship and was runner-up at the PLAYERS earlier this year. Oosthuizen has one major to his credit – he won the 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrews. SHOT OF THE DAY BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

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PGA TOUR players inking new equipment deals for the New Year is nothing new, but 2019 is rumored to have a lot of movement among some big name players. In 2018, equipment free agents prospered. Will some of those free agents sign staff deals this year? Or, will those formerly with staff deals become free agents in 2019?  In this story, we keep track of all of the equipment rumors and the official deals that are confirmed. Confirmed signings Justin Rose signs multi-year deal with Honma After 20 years with TaylorMade, world No. 2 Justin Rose has signed an equipment deal with Honma. Will he be the only player making the move to Honma? Industry developments suggest otherwise. Click here for the full report on Rose’s new deal. Kevin Na, previously an equipment free agent, signs with Callaway Na, formerly a Titleist staffer but spent 2018 as an equipment free agent, confirmed that he signed with Callaway. This should come as no surprise, since Na was playing mostly Callaway equipment by the end of 2018. Developments A staff hat or a company’s golf clubs in the bag do not mean that player has inked a deal with a company. On the flip side, it could foreshadow a player’s intentions. A few developments to be aware of: Paul Casey Justin Rose’s confirmation on Jan. 1 adds to the chatter that Honma may sign a number of big-name players. Since Nike exited the hard goods industry, Paul Casey has been using Mizuno irons. But during a practice round at this week’s Sentry Tournament of Champions, Casey was spotted using a Honma Tour World TW-U iron. Gary Woodland The equipment free agent put Wilson Staff prototype blades in play in 2018. He seems to like the irons but as of now, that’s as far as it goes. Click here for more on Woodland’s new irons. Brandt Snedeker The long-time Bridgestone staff player is no longer listed on the “Tour Teamâ€� section of a company’s website. No official word on his potential free-agency status. Troy Merritt Merritt was spotted wearing a Titleist hat instead of a Wilson hat this week at Kapalua.

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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Notes and observations from Saturday’s third round of the Greenbrier Classic where Sebastian Munoz set himself up for his first PGA TOUR win with a steady 2-under 68. The Colombian sits 14-under and leads by two over Robert Streb (65) at 12 under. Rookie Xander Schauffele (66) and former prodigy Jamie Lovemark (66) will also try to chase down a maiden PGA TOUR win from three back at 11-under. For more from Old White TPC check out the Daily Wrap. MUNOZ MOVIE NIGHTS Sebastian Munoz has turned off his phone and retreated to his room for 1980s movie nights as he tries to stem the nerves during his battle for a maiden PGA TOUR win at the Greenbrier Classic. The 23-year-old Colombian, who prior to this week had finished no higher than T27 on the TOUR and ranks 198th on the FedExCup, has led through all three rounds at the Old White TPC. His two-shot buffer over Robert Streb in his first 54-hole lead on TOUR and represents the chance to significantly change his life bringing with it significant nerves. Knowing his phone would be blowing up with well wishes and social media notifications he simply turned it off. “I am going to try to do the same thing. I’ve had my phone off since Thursday. We’re going to keep it that way,â€� he smiled as he explained how he kept a calm demeanor. After Thursday’s hot start Munoz retreated to his room to watch 1980s classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and after another good effort Friday kept the theme going by watching Rainman. Slightly superstitious he will once again find an 80s classic and is considering Top Gun for his Saturday night flick. As for tomorrow’s final round? He hopes keeping a simple game plan will allow him to continue on to victory. “I’ll try to play boring golf. I try to hit the fairway and hit the greens,â€� he said. “I’ll try to keep it steady, but you just take what you can get.â€� And he will try to continue to make putts. Munoz leads the field in Strokes Gained: Putting at an incredible 9.181 through three rounds making 396’1â€� worth of putts. STREB SADDLES UP FOR REVENGE Two years ago Robert Streb had the chance to win the Greenbrier Classic, joining a four-man playoff for the title. Just getting there had been an impressive effort given he broke his putter at the turn on Sunday and putted with a wedge on the back nine that yielded five birdies. Ultimately, he was unable to get the win but the 2015 McGladrey Classic champion has the chance for revenge this week, starting Sunday just two back in second place. It’s a timely performance as he currently ranks 137th in the FedExCup. “I’m trying to put that aside and trying to just focus on winning here and see if we can play well,â€� Streb said. “Hopefully the points will take care of themselves.â€� Streb’s Saturday effort was highlighted by a brilliant hybrid out of the rough on the par-5 12th hole from 232-yards that almost went in the hole. The resulting eagle and round of 65 has him in great shape. “Maybe I left a couple out there coming in, but hopefully have a chance tomorrow,â€� he said. SHOT OF THE DAY ROOKIE XANDER READY TO ATTACK When Xander Schauffele nabbed a top-5 finish in just his second PGA TOUR event in the fall last year he was already liking his chances of a trip to the FedExCup Playoffs. With four made cuts out of the blocks in his rookie year the confidence was starting to certainly build. But then six missed cuts in the next eight starts followed and by the time he headed to the U.S. Open last month he had faded to 135th on the FedExCup list and was in danger of losing his card. The 23-year-old then surprised plenty by contending at Erin Hills, finishing in a tie for fifth, catapulting him back into the high confidence realm once more. Decent efforts at the Travelers Championship (T14) and the Quicken Loans National (T35) have moved him to 94th on the FedExCup list entering the Greenbrier Classic, virtually securing a Playoff berth. “Knowing that I have a job virtually taken care of for next year is a huge relief,â€� he said. “It frees me up to maybe go at a few more pins tomorrow. Really get aggressive at times and push for a win. “You can only do as much as you can with the swing and with putts. But if I can kind if keep this attitude, never know what can happen. “I don’t really know what’s going to go on with by body and how my mind works, but hopefully I can prepare for it properly.â€� CALL OF THE DAY   LOVE CHASES HISTORY Davis Love III will attempt to create history on Sunday as he looks to become the oldest winner on the PGA TOUR. A Life Member on the TOUR based on a minimum of 20 victories (21), Love III carded a third-round 2-under 68 and will enter the final round at T5, four strokes behind. A victory Sunday would come in Love’s 741st official PGA TOUR start at the age of 53 years, 2 months and 26 days breaking Sam Snead’s record of 52 years, 10 months and 8 days at the 1965 Wyndham Championship. Love would also set a record for most years between first and last victory on the TOUR (30 years, two months and 20 days since his first win at the 1987 RBC Heritage). “I don’t think much about age. I think I want to get out and compete. There is a reason why I keep having surgery and coming back and doing the rehab and trying to play,â€� he said. “I think I can play out here. I watch Vijay (Singh) go out there and pound balls and keep having a good finish here and there, keep making the FedExCup 125. I want to keep doing that. I want to keep staying out here and competing. “I’m just trying to hang in there. I feel like if I can make some putts I can still compete with them.â€� ODDS AND ENDS Jamie Lovemark (T3), in search of his first victory in his 113th PGA TOUR start, owns runner-up finishes at the 2009 Safeway Open and 2016 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The former prodigy admits there will be nerves but he’s excited about the prospect of a breakthrough win. “I think everyone feels more comfortable as time goes on. I’m 29; I’m getting kind of old. So hopefully get one of these someday soon,â€� he said. “Everyone is more nervous on Sunday. That’s fine. That’s why we play. Not a huge deal. Just got to take it slow and give myself a lot of decent looks and don’t be too aggressive going into the greens.â€� Defending champion Danny Lee (64-68-70) sits six back in a tie for 8th. After making the cut on the number (his first made cut in four tries at The Old White TPC), Phil Mickelson posted a 1-over 71 Saturday to fall to T61. Opening this week with rounds of 69-67, Greenbrier resident Bubba Watson (T67) struggled to a 5-over 75 Saturday, his first-over par score in 15 rounds at The Greenbrier Classic. Smylie Kaufman (T54) has a current streak of 258 consecutive holes without a three-putt. BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA Munoz needs just 9 more feet of putts in his final two holes to get to 400 feet of putts made this week😳😳😳 #isthatgood — Teryn Schaefer (@TerynS_PGATOUR) July 8, 2017 🔥 🔥 🔥@jsmunozgolf has the flat stick dialed in.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/b5jCY0GI8P — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 8, 2017 Missed green? No problem. Robert Streb (@therealstrebber) converts from 91’6″ on his opening hole. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/tovjnvg6yS — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 8, 2017

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