Kevin Yu win his first PGA Tour Tittle at the Sanderson Farms Championship with a dramatic finish, sinking a 15-foot birdie on the 18th hole for a 5-under 67. He then birdied the same hole again from 6 feet in a playoff to defeat Beau Hossler. Yu, a 26-year-old from Taiwan, was a late contender in the final round, initially overshadowed by a battle between Hossler and Keith Mitchell. However, Yu’s clutch birdie on the 18th brought him level with the leaders.
In regulation, Hossler struggled off the tee on the 18th, hitting his drive behind a tree, forcing him to pitch out before saving par with a 4-foot putt. Mitchell had a chance to win outright with a 35-foot birdie putt but barely missed, and then missed his par putt from 4 feet, dropping him out of the playoff with a round of 70. Mitchell tied for third with Lucas Glover, who charged up the leaderboard with a 5-under finish over the last six holes, including an eagle on the par-4 15th.
During the playoff, Hossler again pulled his tee shot on the 18th, while Yu hit his approach to 6 feet. Hossler found the front bunker with his second shot and made par after blasting out to 2 feet. Yu calmly sank his birdie putt to claim victory, earning spots in both the Masters and the PGA Championship, along with an invitation to the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
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“This is a dream come true,” Yu said. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was 5 years old. To win on the PGA Tour means everything. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my parents.”
Yu and Hossler both finished at 23-under 265. Despite the loss, Hossler, who shot a 68, remained positive, saying, “Even though I didn’t have my best on the back nine, I grinded hard. Kevin played beautifully in the playoff.”
Mitchell, seeking his first win in five years, lamented his missed opportunities. He held a two-shot lead with five holes to play but faltered with a three-putt bogey on the 18th. “I hate that I finished with a three-putt,” Mitchell said. “I gave it a good chance, but it just didn’t go my way.”
