May 23, (THEWILL) – After a thrilling playoff at Southern Hills, Justin Thomas has won the PGA Championship. It followed a stunning collapse by course leader Mito Pereira on the 72nd hole, allowing Thomas to defeat Will Zalatoris on extra holes.
Pereira, who had led for much of the third day and the final round, played into the water on the 18th hole and double-bogeyed it to drop out of contention.
The players had had extremely diverse rounds leading up to the playoffs. Thomas had put himself in contention with a spectacular recovery from seven shots adrift, tying the biggest final-round comeback in PGA history.
Meanwhile, Zalatoris and Pereira made birdies on the 13th hole, the first of a three-hole aggregate playoff. Thomas laid up from the rough and stiffed a wedge, while Zalatoris found the green in two and two-putted safely.
On the 17th, Thomas had the upper hand. The 2017 champion hit a fantastic drive into the green, allowing him to make another birdie. Zalatoris sank a two-putt for par after missing right. Thomas’ return to the major winners’ circle was eventually secured with a par at 18.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
