PONTE VEDRA BEACH – In arguably the greatest Sunday in the 41-year history of THE PLAYERS Championship, Rickie Fowler defeated Sergio Garcia and Kevin Kisner in a playoff to claim the second PGA TOUR title of his career.
The three each finished regulation at 12 under. Fowler shot a final-round 67 that included an incredible 6-under finish in the final six holes. Garcia shot a 68 that included a 43-foot, 10-inch birdie on the island-green 17th. Kisner also produced two late birdies to climb into the playoff with a final-round 69.
In the three-hole aggregate playoff, Fowler and Kisner advanced with 1 under totals while Garcia was eliminated at even par.
Fowler and Kisner then went to the 17th hole, with Fowler making the winning birdie for 4 feet, 8 inches. It was his fifth birdie in six trips to 17 this week.
“Pretty fun,” Fowler said. “This was special.”
It was the fifth playoff in tournament history, including 2008 when Garcia beat Paul Goydos. The last playoff came in 2011 when K.J. Choi defeated David Toms on the first playoff hole. Two years later, the playoff format was changed to a three-hole aggregate. This was the first time it was put to use.
Here’s a hole-by-hole account of the playoff.
16TH HOLE (par 5, 516 yards)
Kisner. Garcia and Fowler all miss the fairway to the right, just missing the fairway. Kisner lays up with his second shot. Garcia does the same, as does Fowler. No advantage after two shots.
Garcia has to hit out of a divot but finds the green, his ball ending up 16 feet, 10 inches from the cup. Fowler’s third shot also is on the green, 14 feet away. Kisner, having to navigate an oak tree in front of him, hits a low shot that is 27 feet, 3 inches from the pin.
Kisner misses his birdie putt. Garcia also misses and taps in for par. Same for Fowler, whose birdie putt just slides to the right. Kisner taps in for par.
Kisner (E), Garcia (E), Fowler (E) after one hole
17TH HOLE (par 3, 129 yards)
Kisner’s tee shot is a beauty; he’s 9 feet, 6 inches from the pin. Garcia’s is long but stays dry on the back edge of the green. He’s 36 feet, 10 inches away. Fowler comes up clutch, as he’s just 6 feet, 5 inches from the pin.
Garcia’s birdie attempt fades to the left; he’ll settle for par. Kisner rolls in his birdie putt, putting pressure on Fowler. He calmly rolls in it to match Kisner. It’s his fourth birdie in five attempts this week at the 17th.
Kisner (1 under), Fowler (1 under), Garcia (Even)
18TH HOLE (par 4, 446 yards)
Kisner’s drive finds the right side of the fairway; he’s 166 yards away. Fowler flirts briefly with the water down the left side but ends in splitting the fairway. He’s just 109 yards away. The 336-yard drive was his longest of the week. Garcia’s ball lands near Kisner’s, 160 yards from the pin.
Kisner’s approach comes up just short of the green. Garcia follows by finding the green; he’ll have a birdie putt from 16 feet. Fowler’s approach comes up short of the green, landing a little behind Kisner’s ball. Not a great shot after his terrific drive. Garcia’s the only one who hits the green in regulation.
Fowler’s chip comes up short of the hole; he’ll settle for par. Kisner opts to putt from off the green and nearly holes the putt. Instead, he taps in. Garcia must make his putt to stay in the playoff, but he misses and is finished.
Kisner and Fowler move on to the first sudden-death hole, the 17th.
Kisner (1 under), Fowler (1 under), Garcia (Even, finished)
Garcia’s reaction after his third consecutive top-10 finish here: “I think it was a solid week. Felt like I played nicely. Obviously a couple of shots here and there. … Another great week at THE PLAYERS. Can’t complain.”
17TH HOLE: SUDDEN DEATH
Kisner’s tee shot is terrfic – 12 feet, 6 inches from the pin. But Fowler’s is better – he sticks his shot 4 feet, 8 inches away.
Kisner misses the birdie putt and taps in. Fowler has the stage now. A birdie to win.
He holes the putt. Fowler wins THE PLAYERS Championship.
PGA Tour
