It was a red letter day for Taylor Pendrith on the PGA Tour as the Canadian claimed his first Tour victory in dramatic fashion to win the CJ Cup in his 74th start at the age of 32.
Pendrith, who became the first Canadian to win the event, led heading into the final day but needed a birdie on the 72nd hole to get over the line ahead of Ben Kohles who had an untimely bogey on the final hole which left him one shy.
The victory earns Pendrith 500 FedEx Cup points which moves him to #34 and gives him a full exemption through the 2026 PGA Tour season, while he also earns a place at the PGA Championship and the remaining Signature Events in 2024 including next week’s Wells Fargo, The Sentry, The Players Championship and the Masters in 2025.
“It was a bit of a blur, the last hour,” Pendrith commented. “To finally get it done is unbelievable”.
Having made a tough putt on 17th Pendrith was one behind Kohles on the 18th tee with both players having good drives. Pendrith hit the green and while the birdie putt wasn’t a gimme by any stretch the advice from his caddie was just what he needed to hear: “This is the straightest putt you’ve had all year…just knock it in.”
He didn’t disappoint and combined with the bogey for Kohles the birdie was enough to get the job done.
As for Kohles, he also earns a place at the Wells Fargo next week and he can be consoled by the fact that his runner-up position was his best ever finish on the PGA Tour and it’s his second top-10 of the season.
Alex Noren was third on 21-under par as he continues to chase that elusive first Tour win after 173 starts while S.H. Kim posted his first top-10 in 15 outings with a 4th place finish while second round leader Jake Knapp closed out with a round of 70 to finish four shots off the pace in 8th place.
Scores HERE.
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