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Thomas Defeats Zalatoris In Playoff To Win Second PGA Championship

Justin Thomas triumphed at the 104th PGA Championship after beating Will Zalatoris in a three hole playoff

PGA Championship 2022

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Justin Thomas beat Will Zalatoris in a three hole playoff to win the 104th PGA Championship and claim his second Major title.

Thomas started Sunday seven shots back of the lead and shot a final round 67 to finish at five-under par for the tournament. He then went on to play the three playoff holes in two-under par and beat Zalatoris by one stroke, claiming his second PGA Championship to sit alongside the Players Championship he won in 2021.

"It was a bizarre day," Thomas said. "I definitely crossed one off the list, and I've never won a tournament shanking a ball on Sunday, so that was a first, and man, I would really like it to be a last.

"Bones did an unbelievable job of just keeping me in the moment today. We just tried to play the golf course for what it is, and this place is so tough. It's funny, I was asked earlier in the week about what lead is safe, and I said, no lead. This place is so tough. But if you hit the fairways you can make birdies, and I stayed so patient, I just couldn't believe I found myself in a playoff."

After leading for almost the entirety of the fourth round, unexpected overnight leader Mito Pereira double bogeyed the last hole to dramatically fall out of contention at the last hurdle. Pereira began the day three shots clear of Will Zalatoris and Matt Fitzpatrick, but shot a final round 75 to brutally miss out on a maiden Major title. 

Rory McIlroy looked like mounting a serious challenge after making four birdies in his opening five holes, but he failed to maintain that momentum and finished four shots back on the score required to get into the playoff. 

PGA Championship Leaderboard

  • -5 Thomas, Zalatoris
  • -4 Periera, Young
  • -3 Fleetwood, Fitzpatrick
  • -2 McIlroy
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Welcome to the live blog of the final day of the PGA Championship.

The final round is still a few hours away from starting, you can check out all the tee times for the final round.

PGA Championship Final Round Tee Times

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Just in case you didn't see the news, Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the PGA Championship. This was announced last night. 

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WHO HAVE YOU GOT?

Yesterday there were lots of ups and downs on the leaderboard, but who do you see hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy aloft later today? Chances are one of the guys below is going to do so

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TECH ISSUES TO START THE DAY

First up on this final day we have had some technical issues but hopefully they are resolved now. First up on live action is Sam Tremlett, nursing his disappointment at Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas yesterday. 

Sam Tremlett

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

RORY DISAPPOINTMENT

Speaking of Rory, yesterday was tough to watch. Two bad swings and five shots gone just like that. Staff writer Andy Wright wrote an excellent piece on this complete blunder of a round this morning, which is definitely worth a read. This line in particular hit me as annoyingly apt; 

"Barring a miracle, all that remains is the opportunity to salvage a back door top-five, the likes of which he has become painfully famous for."

'Pitiful Setup' And 'Overrated'

When describing Southern Hills those were the words of Patton Kizzire yesterday on Instagram after shooting 78. Additionally there were several complaints about course setup yesterday and Tyrrell Hatton lambasted the greens a couple of days ago as well. 

I am all for these guys speaking their minds but for me Southern Hills has proven to be a proper test of golf, in which you have to hit proper golf shots. What do you guys think? Let us know via social media. 

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FINAU SWEATER IS QUITE THE LOOK

As usual it seemed Tony Finau drew the short straw for Nike's apparel for the PGA Championship. Although that being said the guys from No Laying Up liked it so there must be some who are fans. You can actually buy it here for just £75 or around 100 bucks.  

tony finau sweater

(Image credit: Getty Images)

HOW GOOD WAS FITZ YESTERDAY?

So pumped for Fitzpatrick yesterday after he shot a brilliant 67. He has made swing changes fairly recently and has improved in a lot of statistical categories (see Justin Ray tweet below). 

I was lucky enough to interview him at the 2019 BMW PGA Championship and he was a super nice guy so it would be awesome for him to get it done. 

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TITLEIST HELPS OUT FITZ

After his 3rd round 67 Fitzpatrick actually took time to thank Titleist for sorting him out another four-iron. After the round he said; “I’ve got a big thank you to Liam McDougal from Titleist actually. My 4 iron was worn out today, I hit so many shots and I actually changed it before the round, I changed the model and I hit so many great shots with it today. So a big thank you to him, yeah it worked well.”

He isn't even signed with Titleist so clearly the brand goes above and beyond for those who put their clubs in the bag. Want to know more? Read our Matt Fitzpatrick WITB. 

RAHM UNDERWAY

Sky has finally started its broadcast so I can now update you on the golf. Jon Rahm is now underway and he will probably want to get this done as quickly as possible and head to Brookline to defend his US Open title. 

Elsewhere not a lot to report really as not one player right now is under par for their rounds. 

NORRIS' PUTTER 

No idea why or how I found this tweet about Shaun Norris' broom putter but it did make me laugh. Utterly pointless to have a MCC grip there

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CHANGES FROM 2007

One little graphic I've noticed that occasionally pops up is the difference between the 2007 and 2022 tournaments when it comes to greens and bunkering. The tweet below illustrates my point there, but when I usually moan about how many adverts there are during coverage, it feels good to say something positive about coverage too!

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HEARTBREAKING

Sorry to talk about something other than golf but I've just realised I forgot to change my Fantasy Premier League football team. Devastating news on the final round of the league. (Would love for Man City to bottle it today but can't see that happening) 

Kevin Streelman is two-under through 3 by the way. Swear I only ever see that guy at Majors. 

FEEL FOR THE CONDITIONS

Always good to see the early guys tee off and see how some the conditions and holes are playing today, but we are expecting the temperature to get slightly warmer when the leaders tee off in around five hours time. 

Here are the pin locations for the day by the way

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FINAU/HOVLAND OFF

A great group just teed off including Ryder Cup players Tony Finau and Viktor Hovland. You will be pleased to know Finau has a more restrained Nike outfit today but great to see him shout fore as he goes left off the tee. Viktor finds the fairway.

Both guys can go low anywhere so will be a group to keep an eye on today. 

BRUTAL LIP OUT

Hovland nearly holes an absolute bomb on the 1st but it brutally lips out. That was a full on 180. At least he can laugh about it, I cannot fathom how I would react to back luck like that

STREELMAN THREE-UNDER THROUGH 5

I know it is early days, but conditions don't seem as tough as they were yesterday. I did the early shift for round three as well and I just think there are more birdies flying in right now. Streelman is a case in point as he is three-under through five. 

UP TEE IN USE AT 17

I have just noticed that we will once again see the forward tee used at 17 today. It was in play yesterday and added value to the hole for sure. Many players can reach it with the tee shot and eagle is a possibility, but get it wrong and the price will be paid. This could be fascinating and result-changing later today. What Cameron Young would do for another eagle at that hole in a few hours time.

CELEBRATION FOR RAHM

Hitting a massive cut on the par-3 8th, which measures today at over 250 yards, (yes you read that right), Jon Rahm manages to hit the green with a fairway wood and celebrates with arms aloft. A frustrated figure all week, he is two-under for the day so let's hope he can hole the birdie putt for more momentum.

Also he hasn't parred or birdied that hole all week so maybe that explains the celebration.

AMEN NLU

Final 6 should be great to watch...

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HANDING OVER TO ELLIOTT HEATH

And just like that, three hours has flown by and I am handing over once again to Elliott Heath. Been a pleasure to blog with you guys and I hope I kept you somewhat entertained. I am off to get some beers and get a bit of two-screen action going with the golf on one, and the Premier League football on the other. 

Elliott Heath

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

ELLIOTT HEATH HERE

Hello folks, welcome to the final day of the PGA Championship. Not a great deal going on yet but we do have Rory McIlroy off at 5.45pm UK time before the final group of Pereira and Fitzpatrick out at 7.35pm UK.

A much nicer day at Southern Hills with a bit of breeze, should be an excellent day with the last two groups featuring a total of zero PGA Tour victories! Can Pereira keep it up? Can Fitzpatrick become the first Englishman to win a Major in six years? 

For what it's worth, I'd put my money on Abraham Ancer today - there's your tip.

BIRDIE-BIRDIE FOR SPIETH

Jordan Spieth has just gone birdie-birdie through 4 and 5 to get to four-over-par for the tournament. Hasn't quite happened for him this week and it's mainly been down to his putting.

Elsewhere Brian Harman has started birdie-birdie to get to three-over for the tournament - that's currently T36th so still a long way back.

PGA DRINKING GAME

Got the day off tomorrow? Take a sip every time the commentators mention...

  • The bunker sand
  • Will Zalatoris' putting stroke
  • Perry Maxwell

KOEPKA SURGERY

Nick Dougherty has just mentioned on the Sky Comms that there's talk in the locker room that BK is not far off getting surgery on his hip.

Got to feel for the four-time Major winner and former World No.1 - he's really been plagued with injuries these last few years.

Brooks Koepka looks on at Augusta National

(Image credit: Getty Images)

BRIAN HARMAN ON FIRE

The lefty has just made his third consecutive birdie to start the day to reach two-over-par. That's moved him up to T28th.

ROBERT MACINTYRE

The Scot made his ninth consecutive Major cut this week to keep his incredible 100% record. Will be interesting to see if he can go 10/10 at next month's US Open. Anyway, he has had a poor weekend shooting 80-76 and 16-over-par to finish his tournament at 17-over.

MCILROY WARMING UP

The four-time Major champion is level par and currently warming up his wedges on the practice green. He's nine back heading into the final round and will need a 63 most likely, the score shot by Bubba Watson in round two, to have a chance.

Still very disappointed in his 74 yesterday - read our piece on how McIlroy's Major quest crumbled.

Rory McIlroy reacts to his tee shot on the sixth hole during the third round of the 2022 PGA Championship

(Image credit: Getty Images)

WHO WILL WIN THE PGA?

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ENGLISH GROUP OFF

The all-English group of Justin Rose and Laurie Canter goes off in two minutes. Both men are two-over-par and T28, and will be hoping to get into red numbers and climb up the leaderboard inside the top-10.

RICKIE FOWLER BIRDIE

Rickie, dressed in his usual Oklahoma orange for today's final round, has just birdied the 2nd hole to get to one-over-par for the tournament. He's T23 now and will be another one eyeing a top-10 finish. He's 146th in the world and has missed five of nine cuts in 2022, and I'm not sure he's in the US Open or Open field yet so hopefully can put a good round together today.

MITO PEREIRA'S GOLF SWING

The PGA Championship leader can bomb it...

17

The drivable par-4 17th is downwind today and we're already seeing lots of players get up on, or at least around, the green. Morikawa just hit a lovely high, fade with his driver onto the green. The 17th is sandwiched in between two very tough and long par-4s so players will be desperate to make a 3, or a 2, there.

MCILROY OFF

Rory at level par drives off the 1st tee and it looks like it may have found one of the bunkers down the left.

His drive produced 182mph of ball speed versus playing partner Adri Arnaus' 188mph. Looks like he has a day of long drive contests ahead.

ROSE (+3) AND CANTER (+5) GOING BACKWARDS

Rose is one-over for the round so far and Canter is three-over, falling to five-over-par. Poor starts from the Englishmen who I earlier said will be looking up towards the top-10.

MCILROY FINDS 1ST IN REGULATION

Rory's drive ended up on the top of the bunker down the left and he gauges one out onto the front right of the green that runs up all the way back to within 25-30ft of the pin, which is tucked in the back left corner. Great shot.

BILLY FOSTER WILL BE IN A GOOD MOOD

Matt Fitzpatrick's caddie will have a spring in his step this afternoon as his beloved Leeds United have stayed up in the Premier League.

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MCILROY (E) PARS THE 1ST

Solid start from Rory after his drive found a tricky spot on top of one of the bunkers down the left.

AN ENTIRE SEGMENT ON WILL ZALATORIS' PUTTING STROKE

For those playing the PGA drinking game, scroll down quite a bit, you'll be a bit tipsy now as Sky Sports have started on Zalatoris' putting stroke. I'm very, very tired of hearing how bad he is at putting.

If he's that bad, why has he got a runner-up finish at The Masters on his CV as well as $6.35m in PGA Tour earnings?

RORY BIRDIE (-1)

McIlroy birdies the 2nd and is now within eight of the lead. The perfect start.

WHERE WAS THIS YESTERDAY RORY?

Can't say I'm surprised but come on! He hits a beautiful sorn-off 9-iron into the 3rd after a 330 yard drive and he'll have some 6ft to reach two-under-par for the tournament and day. If this goes in, he's only going to be seven behind the inexperienced Mito Pereira.

Await the next update on whether he holes it or not.

RORY BIRDIE!

Never in doubt, right?

McIlroy does indeed birdie the 3rd for a par-birdie-birdie start. He's back in it!!

MATT FITZPATRICK'S CAREER RECORD

A look at the Englishman's seven DP World Tour wins and some of his other best career results. He hasn't won on the PGA Tour yet but he's certainly capable of winning a Major.

Official World Golf Ranking screengrab

(Image credit: OWGR)

MCILROY (-2) UPDATE

The Northern Irishman steps up on the short par-4 4th hole and tugs his drive left behind a temporary fan structure. He'll get a free drop and will have a mere 70ish yard flick onto the green.

MCILROY!!!!

BIRDIE-BIRDIE-BIRDIE at 2, 3 and 4 - he's within six!

His wedge was just left of the pin for a putt of around a 20ft downhill left-to-righter and it was beautiful. Par-5 next...

But again, seriously, where has this been the last two days?!

SPIETH NEARLY MADE A 1 ON A PAR-4

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MCILROY UPDATE

He's now three-under-par and is just three shots behind second place, and he has the par-5 5th hole coming up but there actually hasn't been many birdies there so far today. It is 623 yards to be fair. 

Rory birdied the 5th on day one but has gone par-par over the last two days.

MCILROY ON 5

He's going to have a good look at birdie at the par-5 after this absolute monster off the tee...

Screengrab of golf scoreboard graphic

(Image credit: PGAChampionship.com)

POLL RESULTS

The results are in (this poll was created before McIlroy went birdie-birdie-birdie)

Twitter poll screengrab

(Image credit: Future)

MCILROY HAS 5FT FOR BIRDIE AT 5

If he holes this he's gone par-birdie-birdie-birdie-birdie and will be two back of 2nd place.

He found the greenside bunker with his second shot by the way and hit a lovely sand shot.

MCILROY BIRDIES 5

He's four-under-par now!

MCILROY MISSES GREEN ON 6

He steps up on the 218 yard 6th and pushes his tee shot right but leaves a simple-looking pitch shot across the green. Big up-and-down needed.

SIGNING OFF

Thanks for joining us on the live blog for the past few hours and stay tuned for the remainder of the evening. If you can't tell by now, I'm a Rory guy so very excited to see how his final round plays out.

Handing over to our resident Scot...

Dan Parker
Dan Parker

Dan is a Staff Writer and has been with the Golf Monthly team since early 2021. Dan graduated with a Masters in International Journalism from the University of Sussex and primarily looks after equipment reviews and buyer's guides on the website. Dan was a custom fit specialist at American Golf for two years and has brought his expertise in golf equipment to a huge range of buyer's guides and reviews on the website. 

SIGNING ON...

Sadly, it's bad news to start for all you Rory fans. That simple chip Elliott was talking about was completely fluffed, leaving a lengthy par putt that slips by on the left edge. It's a bit of a deflating blow to the charge but there's plenty of time left to make amends. He's back to -3.

BURNS FROM DOWNTOWN

Away from Rory, there are others on course looking to get back in the mix. One of them is Sam Burns. The American bogeyed the first but has just sunk a monster 39-foot putt on the third to get back to level for the day and one-under for the tournament. 

He'll need plenty more of that to claw away at the deficit to Pereira in front, but you've got to start somewhere.

NEAR ACE FOR CAM SMITH

It's Cam Smith's turn to come within a whisker of a hole-in-one. The Aussie laced a 7-wood on the 255-yard par-3 eighth that lipped out en route to finishing about five feet from the hole. He'll have that to get back under par for the tournament. 

Back on the fifth, it's a second consecutive birdie for Tommy Fleetwood, who moves to -2 and within seven of the lead.

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ONE HOP AND IN

That's one way to get back to level par for the day. Hopefully you're able to watch the footage below as Rickie Fowler just about slam dunks his bunker shot for birdie. He's back to +2 overall with a chance to secure a place in next year's edition if he can finish strong.

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NOTABLE OTHERS

Just before the final group tee off, let's take a look at how some of the biggest names finished up. It was a much better day for World No. 2 Jon Rahm, who signed off with a two-under 68 to finish +6 for the tournament. 

Two shots further back came Collin Morikawa, courtesy of a closing 70. Hideki Matsuyama finished +9, while Jordan Spieth posted his second 69 of the week to end up on +4. Not the week any of them will have wanted or expected!

LEADERS ARE OFF

That's everyone on the course now. The leader is up first - which will never not be weird - and stripes it down the middle. No sign of nerves there.

The same can't be said for his playing partner, It's a quick hook into the left rough for Matt Fitzpatrick, who won't want to lose ground even at this early stage.

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CHALLENGERS ASSEMBLE

Now that McIlroy's charge has stalled slightly, nobody has picked up the slack. In fact, most are going backwards, with Abraham Ancer and Cameron Young dropping shots early. If Pereira makes a fast start, he could be out of sight. 

EARLY BOGEY FOR FITZY

That's not how Matt Fitzpatrick will have dreamt up the opening hole. After missing the green, the best he can do is 13ft with his pitch shot and he is unable to convert for par. His playing partner has no such trouble, making a regulation four, meaning the Englishman is suddenly four behind. 

BOGEY FOR THOMAS, BIRDIE FOR YOUNG

Justin Thomas takes a backward step with a costly bogey at the third to drop to -1. He's just not been able to get anything going this weekend after the magnificence he conjured up on Thursday and Friday. The mountain he needs to climb just got a little steeper. 

His fellow American, Cameron Young, bounces back from a dropped shot at the first with a birdie at the second, holing from 12ft to get to -5 and within four. 

PAR FOR MCILROY ON 10

Rory McIlroy PGA Championship Round 4

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Northern Irishman starts the back nine with a two-putt par to remain three-under. He's only three behind second place, so if he can post a good target, you never know what might happen. It'll no doubt end in disappointment, but let's dare to dream.

Joining McIlroy on -3 is Webb Simpson after back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth for the former US Open champion.

ROSE MAKING MOVES

Justin Rose gets to two-under for the day and level for the tournament with back-to-back gains on the 13th and 14th. It's a welcome return to some sort of form for the former World No. 1 Englishman. 

A shot further back on the leaderboard is Rickie Fowler after a birdie at the 15th. He's equally desperate to return to upper echelons of the game! Not that anyone needs to see any more of those orange trousers.

A SHOT GOES FOR THE LEADER

Following two pars to begin the day, a shot goes for Mito Pereira at the third. He found trouble in the right rough off the tee before hitting a good recovery short to within 20 yards of the green. From there, his pitch left him six feet for par but he was unable to convert and the gap at the top is back to one following a timely Zalatoris birdie.

Matt Fitzpatrick mops up for his par and it's as you were for the final group as they head to the fourth.

JT BACK IN THE MIX?

Justin Thomas makes a cracking up-and-down from the greenside bunker at the par-5 fifth to get back to -2. All of a sudden he's within six and not out of it if he can put together a good stretch of holes. 

Elsewhere, Young missed an excellent chance from just over 4ft to get to -6. You've got to take them if you want to win a Major.

BIRDIE FOR FITZPATRICK

The Englishman takes advantage of the short par-4 fourth to get back level with the card for the day. His pinpoint approach shot finished a little over two feet away and he was never going to miss from there. He's now only two back after Pereira missed a glaring opportunity himself. It's getting tight!

Would Fitzpatrick be the first Major champion with braces? It's the question on everyone's mind, I'm sure...

BIRDIES FOR YOUNG AND ZALATORIS

Some ridiculous ball-striking on display from the penultimate group to hit the green in two on the 623-yard par-5 fifth. Both of them clean up for deserved birdie fours. That gets Young to -6 and Zalatoris to -8 and tied for the lead. 

POTENTIAL OB TROUBLE FOR ZALATORIS

Zalatoris is pumped! And not in a good way. He's just smashed his tee shot through the green at the par-3 sixth and it looks in serious danger of being out of bounds. He doesn't reload so must be confident he's in play but I'll keep you posted. 

ANOTHER CHANCE SLIDES BY FOR RORY

He's running out of holes is Rory McIlroy. From 10ft on the par-5 13th, the Northern Irishman can only watch on as his putt for birdie slides by on the right lip. That's seven pars in a row when birdies are the name of the game today.

DROP CONFUSION FOR ZALATORIS

The joint leader (for now) is locked in intense conversation with an on-course official about his options as he is forced to take a penalty drop from a hedge at the back of the sixth. The prognosis does not look good for the American, with a TV tower and a path confusing matters further. We could be a while here, folks!

PEREIRA REGAINS LEAD WITH BIRDIE

It's academic for the 54-hole leader as he cleans up for birdie on the fifth to restore his one-shot advantage and get back to nine-under. His gap at the top looks set to at least double with the Zalatoris drama up ahead. 

ZALATORIS UPDATE

Will Zalatoris is forced to play from the path after taking relief from the bushes. He would be entitled to a free drop from the path but his nearest point is back in the bush so he is forced to play the ball as it lies, Happy Gilmore style.

To his credit, he clips it really well to about 8ft and will have that to drop just one shot, which would be a steal!

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WHAT A BOGEY

The saga is over and somehow Will Zalatoris escapes the par-3 sixth with a bogey four. That could've been so much worse and may even give him some momentum to see out the front nine. 

Cameron Young did really well to maintain his composure through the melee to make a par from over the green and gain a shot on his playing partner.

HERE'S THAT ZALATORIS RECOVERY

In case you missed it, here is the moment Will Zalatoris escaped near disaster on the sixth!

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FITZPATRICK IN THE DRINK

After a long wait, the final pair get going on the par-3 and it's bad news for Matt Fitzpatrick fans. The Englishman has pulled his tee shot into the water hazard that has caught out so many during this championship. An up-and-down is required to lose just one shot. 

Pereira finds the green and will have around 30ft for birdie. The Chilean has looked remarkably at ease so far.

FOUR-WAY FIGHT?

I'm losing hope that the chasing pack are going to do anything here. There are four within three at the top, but behind them, the next best score is -3. It'll take something special from someone to force their way into the reckoning. 

McIlroy has looked the most likely but can't buy a putt. Another chance goes begging at the 15th. His title hopes are surely over now.

FITZPATRICK SALVAGES BOGEY

Matt Fitzpatrick PGA Championship Round 4

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Well done Matt Fitzpatrick. Like Zalatoris in the game ahead, he is able to salvage a bogey having taken a penalty drop. He's back to -5 but remains in contention should his playing partner start to feel the heat. 

Elsewhere, Justin Thomas sees out his front nine with a birdie to get to -2, and Laurie Canter has just dazzled the fans at the final green by holing his third to finish +6. He'll be delighted with his week's work!

WHEELS COMING OFF FOR ZALATORIS

It's a second consecutive bogey for Zalatoris on the seventh after he was unable to get up-and-down from the greenside bunker. Having been tied for the lead two holes ago, he's now three behind. 

The American is now in trouble on the par-3 eighth, with his ball coming to rest just short of the water hazard through the green.

SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT FOR BUBBA

It's been a torrid day for Bubba Watson, who dropped five shots on his front nine. Finally, he has something to smile about as he sinks a 35-footer on the par-3 11th. What McIlroy would've given for that yesterday.

Speaking of McIlroy, he's just lipped out for birdie on the long 16th. It just hasn't happened for the 33-year-old following his majestic first-round 65.  

PEREIRA BOGEYS

Southern Hills is proving to be an absolute monster. Nobody can tame it. The seemingly unflappable leader has thrown the chasing pack a lifeline with a bogey on the seventh. He gave himself a lot of work to do after finding the right rough from the tee and couldn't recover, missing from 10ft for par. 

JT!!!!!!!!!

Too little, too late? Time will tell, but the 2017 champion is now three-under following a mammoth 65-foot birdie putt on the 11th from the front of the green. If he can find another soon and post six- or seven-under, that could yet be enough to force a play-off.

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PEREIRA DROPS ANOTHER SHOT!

It's getting very nervy at the business end. It's as if Mito Pereira is playing in just his second Major or something. The cracks are starting to appear in the Chilean's game as he fails to get up-and-down on the par-3 eighth and falls back to -7. 

Up ahead, Cameron Young birdies to join Zalatoris, with the pair now just a shot adrift. This thing could be about to ignite, finally.

BOGEY FINALLY ENDS RORY'S CHALLENGE

The smallest glimmer of hope that McIlroy still had a chance has now been officially extinguished with a bogey on the 17th. He got close to the green with his tee shot and had to go for the eagle pitch. Sadly, it left him in a tricky spot through the green and he was unable to salvage a par. 

The Northern Irishman slips back to -2 with one hole to play after making a good fight of it today - it'll be another Major top-ten finish!

THOMAS GETS TO -4

Justin Thomas PGA Championship Round 4

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Hello Justin Thomas! The former World No. 1 has come to life and makes it back-to-back birdies on the 12th after bombing a 347-yard drive and flighting a lovely wedge shot. He slots the putt to get to four-under and suddenly he's within three of the lead!

CRUCIAL PAR SAVE FOR PEREIRA

How big could that be for Mito Pereira? He's been leaking oil and is in danger of dropping three shots in as many holes on the ninth. Sizing up a big-breaking 13-footer, the Chilean slots it to maintain his slender advantage.

AGONY FOR YOUNG

After a cracking tee shot on the par-3 11th, Cameron young suffers a brutal lip out for birdie and a share of the lead. He might yet find himself occupying top spot however, with Pereira and Fitzpatrick in trouble behind. 

Up ahead, Fleetwood is putting together a great round and has a few feet left on the 17th to get to -3. If he can pick up one more on 18, you just never know...

CLOSING PAR FOR RORY

To his credit, McIlroy saves par on 18 from 11ft. It's a final-round 68 that promised so much more having made four birdies in his first five holes. It's hard to imagine he'll leave Southern Hills feeling anything other than disappointment after a 65 on Thursday put him in perfect position to mount a serious challenge for his fifth Major.

Instead, it'll be another top-ten finish. As if he needs another one of them!

DAN PARKER IN THE HOUSE

Time for me to go and engulf myself in whatever else this PGA Championship has to offer. Dan Parker incoming!

Dan Parker
Dan Parker

Dan is a Staff Writer and has been with the Golf Monthly team since early 2021. Dan graduated with a Masters in International Journalism from the University of Sussex and primarily looks after equipment reviews and buyer's guides on the website. Dan was a custom fit specialist at American Golf for two years and has brought his expertise in golf equipment to a huge range of buyer's guides and reviews on the website. 

THE FINAL PUSH

Thanks Andy, go and enjoy the rest of the golf with your feet up! I'll be here to see us through to the end of play this afternoon. It's been a much more interesting Sunday than I expected and we're still no clearer as to who are champion will be?

It feels like it can only be one of five names. Our leader Pereira, Zalatoris, Young, Fitzpatrick or, from way outside, Thomas. I'm still backing Mito Pereira to do the job...

MITO HANGING IN

Pereira is making life very hard for himself at the minute. After two spectacular up-and-downs on the 8th and 9th, he nearly makes a meal of a two putt on the 11th green. He saves his par in the end and stays one shot clear of Young. Onto the 12th we go...

TAKING MEDICINE 

Pereira has just been to the doctor's office. He has to chip on sideways on the 12th and will have to make up-and-down from a long way out to make par.

Justin Thomas is still lingering around the lead. He's made a par on the 14th to stay at four-under.

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ON THE CLOCK

Looks like our final pairing are currently on the clock. Fitzpatrick clearly thinks there's only one person to blame...

FLEETWOOD SHOOTS LOW ROUND OF THE DAY

Fleetwood tidies up on the 18th to shoot 67, tied for the the lowest round today. It could lead to a top five finish for the Lancastrian.

PEREIRA BOGEYS

We now have a tie for the lead! Mito Pereira relinquishes the solo lead for the first time today with a bogey on the 12th hole. Cam Young now sits in a tie for first place and has just parred the par-5 13th. 

Anyone's game now and I'm still back Mito...

THOMAS MISSES OPPORTIUNITY

A birdie chance for Justin Thomas goes amiss. That was a chance to get to five-under and post something seriously competitive in the clubhouse. He still has three holes to go though and is looking dialled in. 

DOES ANYONE FANCY WINNING THIS?

No one is taking this tournament by the scruff of the neck. Thomas is looking in the best form, but he's running out of holes and Zalatoris hasn't hit a good shot in what feels like forever, but is still one shot back. 

Cam Young has just fallen out of a tie for the lead with a bogey on 14 and Fitzpatrick has just blazed it over the back of the 13th - something has got to give soon...

TWO SHOT LEAD RESTORED

Maybe it's going to be Pereira after all who takes the end of this tournament by the scruff of the neck. He's birdied the 13th to restore his two shot lead for now...

AAAAAND IT'S GONE

As soon as the two shot lead was opened up, it was closed again. Pereira has bogeyed the 14th to drop back to six-under par with a one shot cushion to Young and Zalatoris. 

Elsewhere, Thomas has parred the 16th to stay at four-under. Can he secure back-to-back birdies to post six-under?

FITZ CHIPS IN

Where did that come from? Matt Fitzpatrick has just chipped in on the 14th for birdie to get to four-under par. A big fist pump from the Englishman who desperately needed that. 

Over on the 17th, Thomas has a kick in birdie chance. That'll take him to five-under and leave him in great shape to post a testing clubhouse score. 

QUEUEING UP BEHIND PEREIRA 

There's a three-way tie for second place now. Thomas, Young and Zalatoris are breathing down Mito Pereira's neck for the Wanamaker trophy - the Chilean is keeping them at arms length for now...

YOUNG DOUBLES

That's unfortunate for the young American. A double bogey moves him to three-under for the tournament and probably out of contention after looking decent all day.

Zalatoris makes a bogey too and drops back to four-under, is Justin Thomas now Pereira's most likely challenger? 

CLASS FROM THOMAS

He's only gone and stiffed it on the 18th. After striping his driver down the 72nd hole of the tournament Thomas stuffs an iron in close to give him a chance to get into the clubhouse at six-under. 

Elsewhere on course, Pereira has made a clutch par putt to stay at six-under. That looked like a certain bogey but the Chilean is holding onto this tournament for dear life. 

ZALATORIS IN TROUBLE

It looks like Willy Z's race is run too. He's put his tee shot into the penalty area on the 17th. He'll still have the chance to make par but it's not looking good for the American...

THOMAS MISSES CHANCE TO TIE LEAD

After his spectacular iron shot into the 18th hole, Thomas blazes his putt past on the high side. That was a huge chance to put Pereira under some serious pressure with two holes left to play.

The equation is simple for the Chilean now, par out and he'll be the 2022 PGA Champion - if only it was that easy...

ZALATORIS TO FIVE-UNDER

My mistake, Willy Z didn't find the penalty area on the 17th. He made up and down from near the penalty area to make birdie. His playing partner Cam Young follows him in for birdie. Five and four-under respectively for these two.

PEREIRA FINDS FRONT EDGE 

Bold move from Mito. He's taken the big stick out on the short par-4 17th and found the front of the green. Up-and-down for a two shot lead going down the last...

FITZPATRICK RACE RUN

Just a par for Fitz on the 17th hole means his race is run - he's two shots back going down the last. A valiant effort from the lad from Sheffield and I'm sure plenty of lessons will have been learned from this final-round experience. 

PEREIRA ONE SHOT CLEAR DOWN THE LAST

And it was nearly two shots! His birdie putt hangs in the jaws of the hole and stays out. That being said, a par down the last should win him this event...

PEREIRA IN THE WATER ON THE 18TH!

Wow, wow, wow. You've got to feel for Pereira here, he's just dunked his tee shot into the water down the right of 18. He's tried to hit some sort of stinger with his driver and got it horrible wrong. Wrong club choice? He might have plenty of time to ponder that in an hour or so...

ZALATORIS POSTS FIVE-UNDER

This PGA Championship has just roared into life!! Will Zalatoris has just made a sensational par to get into the clubhouse at five-under par, a number that looks very likely to be part of a playoff after Pereira's exploits. 

UP-AND-DOWN TO JOIN THE PLAYOFF

Pereira drops out and hits his approach shot long and left of the green. Up-and-down and he'll get himself into the playoff with Thomas and Zalatoris 

THOMAS & ZALATORIS ENTER A PLAYOFF

What a crazy 20 minutes or so that was. It's a double bogey in the end for Mito Pereira who drops out of the lead into a tie for third. He looked in such control for the majority of this round and it was that one driver swing on the last that has cost him massively. 

So, we head into a playoff between Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris. The PGA Championship playoff format will mean we'll play at least three more holes tonight - huge drama in Oklahoma, stay with us for the ride....

PLAYOFF HOLES

We'll be playing the 13th, 17th and 18th holes in this three holes playoff. 

The 13th is a 632-yard par 5 and is the second-longest on the course. However, it offers a realistic chance of a birdie with a big drive on the slight dogleg left. It's possible to reach the green in two, but it is protected by sand and water. Laying up also offers a birdie possibility, though, and the chance of a good start in a playoff.

The 17th is the shortest par 4 on the course, but it's far from straightforward. A wayward tee shot risks landing in either in the trees or a creek, while putting is challenging thanks to the two-level elevated green. Finally, the par-4 18th is a dogleg right with a green sloping from back to front. 

PLAYOFF BEGINS

Here we go...

Thomas is first up and finds the rough on the right side. Zalatoris stripes one down the centre, will he try and reach the green in two?

THOMAS LAYS UP, ZALATORIS GOES FOR IT

Thomas is forced to lay up on the 13th due to his poor tee shot. From position A1 on the fairway, Zalatoris has popped it to pin high with a real chance for eagle - our first big move in this playoff. 

THOMAS BIRDIE CHANCE

Despite having to lay up, Thomas has stuck his wedge in very close and has a good look a birdie. 

Great golf so far by our two playoff contenders. 

ZALATORIS BIRDIES, THOMAS BIRDIES

A brilliant opening pair of birdies - proving to us there's more than one way to make a birdie out there! Zalatoris coaxes his eagle putt close while Thomas rails his birdie putt in after a brilliant wedge shot. 

They head over to the short par-4 17th both one-under par. 

THOMAS DRIVES THE GREEN

There's power moves and then there's pulling a putter out of your bag on the tee of a par-4. Thomas is pin high and looking at an eagle putt after a stunning tee shot finds the dance floor. 

Zalatoris' tee shot leaks a little further to the right and comes up near the green, just behind a bunker. Advantage JT.

ZALATORIS PITCHES CLOSE

This'll make JT's first putt a look a lot longer. Willy Z pitches to about eight feet - birdie putt to come

THOMAS TAKES PLAYOFF LEAD

Despite his chip, Zalatoris can't hole his birdie putt and has to settle for par. Meanwhile Thomas' excellent first putt is rewarded with a three footer for birdie, which he duly knocks in.

Thomas leads by one going down the final playoff hole. 

THOMAS IN A1, ZALATORIS JOINS HIM

Hitting driver and three wood respectively, the adrenaline running though Thomas' and Zalatoris' veins has allowed them to stripe a pair of drives down the middle of the 18th fairway.

ZALATORIS, THOMAS FIND THE GREEN

Advantage Thomas once again. Zalatoris went first and could only find the front edge of the green while Thomas fires his approach safely over the pin. 

Barring a miracle putt from Zalatoris, I think Thomas will just need a two-putt to secure his second Wanamaker Trophy. He's now six-under for the last 12 holes he's played...

ZALATORIS BIRDIE PUTT FALLS SHORT

With Zalatoris' tricky birdie attempt missing on the low side, the equation is simple - two putts for Thomas to win...

JUSTIN THOMAS WINS 104TH PGA CHAMPIONSHIP 

And two putts he does - Justin Thomas is the 2022 PGA Championship. Brilliant golf from the American who secures his second Major title to sit alongisde the Players Championship he won in 2021.

EIGHT SHOTS BACK

Justin Thomas was a whopping eight shots back coming into today. While the field did fall back to him throughout the day, Thomas's fourth round 67 and two-under playoff run has deservedly secured him the title. A comeback for the ages?

SIGNING OFF, THANKS FOR JOINING US

That'll about do for our live coverage here on the Golf Monthly website. What a last couple of hours we've enjoyed in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The 104th PGA Championship roared into life and ended with a brilliant playoff between Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris. Coming back from eight shots in regulation and playing the three playoff holes in two-under par, you'd have to say he's a very deserved victor.

Thanks for joining us and we hope you enjoyed our coverage this week. Be sure to follow all the fall out from Thomas' victory throughout Monday on the Golf Monthly website and we'll see you back here for live coverage of the third men's Major - the US Open - on June 16th.