It was a packed leaderboard throughout the final round and anyone’s guess who would win, but after 72 holes of premium golf action it was Justin Thomas who separated himself from the field late Sunday to claim The Players Championship by one shot over Lee Westwood. Thomas, who fired a blistering 64 on Saturday, catapulted himself up the leaderboard and continued his ball striking clinic on Sunday, hitting 17 of 18 greens en route to a final round four-under 68. Thomas’ final score of 14-under par, 264, matches the tournament record and is yet another feather in the cap of a player whose resumé is quickly becoming Hall of Fame shoo-in material. With the victory, Thomas is now one of two players in history to win 14 PGA Tour events, a major and The Players Championship before the age of 28. The other? Tiger Woods, of course.
It was a surgical performance from the young Kentuckian, who noted in his post-round interview that Sunday was one of his best rounds ever from tee to green. A few narrow misses with the putter kept him three back after eight holes, the same deficit he started the day with, but the flatstick got rolling on the back nine. After an eagle on the 11th hole, Thomas put himself in prime position to make his move entering the most difficult stretch of the golf course.
The electric Sunday was further enhanced by the presence of thousands of fans. When asked after the round what it means to have fans back, Thomas made it clear how much their presence adds to the atmosphere.
“I’m so happy to have them back. Living in Florida for a while now it feels like a bit of a home win,” said Thomas. “The adrenaline, being able to control your nerves, your hands tingling, the goosebumps you get—you can’t recreate that without fans.”
Westwood and DeChambeau—The Duplicate Duo
To borrow a Yogi Berra quote, it was déjà vu all over again. Bryson DeChambeau and Lee Westwood were again paired in the final group Sunday, a repeat of last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational. But unlike that tournament, the trophy didn’t find its way into the last group. Westwood has now recorded back-to-back runner-up finishes on tour, draining a 20-footer on 18 to clinch solo second and make his week especially profitable.
Canadian Corey Conners Keeps Consistent
Listowel, O.’s Corey Conners continues to surge forward, with an outstanding final round that vaulted him up the leaderboard for his second Top 10 in a row. Conners’ final round included an eagle and five birdies, with the only blemish on the card being a bogey in the middle of the front nine. Conners moved up 15 spots with his 6-under 66, putting him solidly in the Top 10 after a third-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week. Conners, 29, entered the tournament at 44 in the world, and will see that number climb. He’s scheduled to be one of four Canadians playing in the Masters in April.
On the Lighter Side
The famous par-3 17 island green once again delivered its fair share of drama, including some scores you wouldn’t often associate with professional golfers. Byeong Hun An made an 11 at the famously difficult hole on Thursday, shooting himself out of the tournament. But the 29-year-old backed it up with one of the great responses on social media, making light of his late-round catastrophe on Twitter:
@ByeongHunAn https://t.co/BqQcee3cwo
— Byeong Hun An (@ByeongHunAn) March 11, 2021
WITB
Driver: Titleist TS3 (9.5 degrees)
3-wood: Titleist TS3 (15 degrees)
5-wood: Titleist 915Fd (18 degrees)
Irons (4): Titleist T100; (5-9): Titleist 620 MB; (PW): Titleist Vokey SM7
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 (52 1/2 degrees); Titleist Vokey SM8 (57, 60 1/2 degrees)
Putter: Scotty Cameron by Titleist X5
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x