Jason Kokrak Claims Dramatic Charles Schwab Challenge
Jason Kokrak Claims Dramatic Charles Schwab Challenge
In a back-and-forth tussle with Jordan Spieth, Jason Kokrak held his nerve to secure his second PGA Tour title.
Jason Kokrak Claims Dramatic Charles Schwab Challenge
On a day where many struggled, the American came out on top in a hugely dramatic final round at Colonial Country Club.
Overnight leader, Kokrak, had started the day one shot ahead of Jordan Spieth, but five shots clear of Sergio Garcia in third place.
However, the pair would both get off to poor starts, with Kokrak two-over par and Spieth three-over through four holes.
With back-to-back birdies at the fifth and sixth, Kokrak would extend his lead over Spieth.
However, Spieth would hit a sublime wedge shot at the ninth to set up a tap-in birdie, moving him into a tie with Kokrak heading into the back nine.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The tussle, though, was far from over; with Kokrak making birdies at the 11th and 13th to extend his lead to two shots.
Trading bogies at the par-4 15th, the 36-year-old would make another bogey at the 16th to see his lead cut to one.
With both men producing sublime up-and-downs at the par-4 17th, Kokrak would sit one shot clear going down the 72nd hole.
Drama would follow yet again! With Spieth hitting first, he would pull his approach left and long, finding the water.
With Spieth in the drink, Kokrak could afford to play safe, putting his wedge shot on the front edge of the green and two-putting for a par and a two shot win.
The victory was his second win in only 17 starts; an impressive feat, considering it took him 233 starts to claim his first PGA Tour title.
Speaking after his round, the American said: "The fans were definitely rooting for Jordan. We had a big ebb-and-flow, both of us didn't have our A-games.
"But I grinded it out, we kept patient and although we didn't finish the way we wanted to, we got the win and I'm happy to be standing here on the 18th green."
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
LIV Golf Pair Hint At Ryder Cup-Style Match Against PGA Tour
Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau have hinted that their 'Showdown' match with Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler could be just a preview of a Ryder Cup style LIV Golf-PGA Tour clash in the future
By Paul Higham Published
-
'It Was Really About Us Taking This Into Our Own Hands' - McIlroy On How PGA Tour-LIV Golf Showdown Came To Fruition
Rory McIlroy says the players organized the PGA Tour-LIV Golf Showdown match themselves to show fans they're trying to bring the sport back together
By Paul Higham Published
-
Rory McIlroy Gym Routine... Revealed!
In this Rory McIlroy Gym Routine article we discover how the Northern Irishman keeps himself so fit
By Neil Tappin Published
-
What Is Tiger Woods' Net Worth?
Tiger Woods became the first billion dollar athlete in 2009
By Elliott Heath Last updated
-
The Masters Live Stream: How To Watch The Major
Here are all the details on how you can watch the Major wherever you are in the world.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Five Outsiders Who Could Win The Masters
We consider five players who might surprise the favourites and claim victory at Augusta
By Fergus Bisset Published
-
Who Is Tiger Woods’ Girlfriend?
Find out more on who the American professional golfer is going out with here.
By Matt Cradock Last updated
-
Bermuda Championship Golf Betting Tips 2021
Who is the GM Tipster backing to win this week in Bermuda?
By Jeremy Chapman Published
-
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Fredrik Andersson Hed Passes Away Following Battle With Cancer
Fredrik Andersson Hed Passes Away Following Battle With Cancer
By Matt Cradock Published