Cantlay Defeats DeChambeau in Epic 6-Hole Playoff to Win 2021 BMW Championship

 

Patrick Cantlay Defeats Bryson DeChambeau in Epic 6-Hole Playoff to Win 2021 BMW Championship 

(image: Darron Cummings/AP)

 

It was a final round for the history books this year at Caves Valley Golf Club, but at the end of it, Patrick Cantlay emerged victorious. The Long Beach native defeated Bryson DeChambeau in an epic six hole playoff to capture his fifth career PGA Tour win and third this season. The two finished their final rounds at 27-under par and three shots clear of Sungjae Im, a new tournament record.

 

With this win, Cantlay rises to 1st place in the FedEx Cup Rankings, with a clear (and numerical) advantage heading into the Tour Championship. He also clinches the final spot on the US Ryder Cup team and receives a cheque for $1.7 million.

 

 

TENSIONS RISE AT THE 14TH HOLE

Cantlay and DeChambeau were neck and neck throughout their finals rounds. The two had already separated themselves from the rest of the field and you could not help but feel that one of them was going to win.

On the par 4 14th hole, however, things started to heat up. As DeChambeau stood in the fairway, ready to take his second shot, he paused suddenly, turning to Cantlay and asking him to stop walking. Cantlay, who apparently had been walking, just caught the view of DeChambeau as he was in his shot routine. 

 

This was something quite unusual, as noted by commentators Paul Azinger and Dan Hicks, who questioned whether calling out Cantlay was worse, in terms of concentration-breaking, than the act of walking itself. Sure enough, DeChambeau landed his second shot far from the hole, leaving him a tricky birdie putt. Cantlay seized the opportunity, landing his second shot on the green, then sinking a 21-footer for birdie and a co-lead. 

This sparked what would turn out to be one of the best ends of a tournament I've ever witnessed. It appeared things had gotten personal for Cantlay, you couldn't tell it though, through his calm, focused demeanor.

 

On the par 5 16th hole, Cantlay found trouble off the tee, landing into deep rough, then laying up again into the rough. He managed to sink an 8-foot putt to save par. DeChambeau, after a monster drive and approach, two-putted for a birdie and one-shot lead at this point. 

On the par 3 17th hole, again Cantlay struggled. His first shot found the water short of the green, but he was able to hit a remarkable drop shot to just 8-feet, then sank the bogey putt, his first clutch putt of many more to come. DeChambeau had the upper hand though, keeping his tee shot dry, but in the rough just short of the hill. Forced to chip, something he had avoided all day, DeChambeau landed his shot on the fringe, but still short of the hole. A two-putt later and he too made bogey. 

DeChambeau, with his distance off the tee, had a clear advantage with his approach on the par 4 18th hole. Left with only 150 yards, DeChambeau stiffed his wedge shot to just 12 feet. At this point, things were looking good for him, but what he did not account for was just how clutch Cantlay could be when it mattered most. After finding the round with his tee shot, Cantlay found himself on the 18th green with a 21-foot putt for birdie, one he needed to make to have any chance. In as calm as he was all day, Cantlay assessed the line and sank the putt, putting the pressure on DeChambeau for the first time. But, in a lapse of judgement, DeChambeau missed the putt to win, to everyone's shock. It was a similar putt to the one he missed during his second round to shoot 59. 

Yet again, another playoff was required to decide a tournament. Little did we know though that a battle was about to begin: on one side, the long-driving, overpowering DeChambeau, on the other side, a laser-focused, clutch-putting Cantlay. On the line, not only a win, but 1st place in the FedEx Cup rankings and an advantage at winning $15 million.

 

 

A PLAYOFF LIKE NO OTHER

The stage had been set, two different players with two polar opposite approaches on the game, set to battle it out. Back to the 18th tee box the two of them went. Both Cantlay and DeChambeau found the fairway, with DeChambeau ahead by a considerable amount; something we saw all day. But Cantley's approach found the deep rough, while DeChambeau was 17-foot from the green. Again advantage DeChambeau, but Cantlay was not out just yet. He chipped on and nearly holed out, his ball coming to rest five feet from the hole. He sunk the par putt and the pressure was back on DeChambeau. But yet again, DeChambeau missed the putt to win and parred. 

Once again the two returned to the 18th tee box. Once again, they were in the fairway and DeChambeau ahead. Determined not to let off, DeChambeau again stiffed his approach shot, this time to six feet. Surely this was game over for Cantlay, who landed short but on the green, with a large mound separating him and the hole. Cantlay hit his birdie putt but could not land it within DeChambeau. Not deterred by this though, Cantlay again sank a massive 7 foot putt for par. Yet again, the pressure was back on DeChambeau, who... yet again missed his birdie putt for the win. 

 

At this point, it was hard to believe what was going on. 

To the par 3 17th hole, for what was the third playoff hole at this point, the two went. In a rare moment of consistency between the two players, both Cantlay and DeChambeau landed about 20 feet from the hole and two putted for par.

 

The playoff continued and returned to the 18th hole, where this time DeChambeau found trouble off the tee, landing his tee shot into a creek that ran along side the hole. But a good wedge from DeChambeau left him five foot for a par, which he sank. Cantlay found the fairway and two putted for par as well.

The playoff had now entered its fifth hole, played again on the 17th. Again DeChambeau hit a beautiful tee shot to about 6 feet, but not to be outdone, Cantlay followed with a tee shot to two feet, both excellent shots considering what was on the line. Both made their birdie putts and the playoff continued again.

At this point, many were questioning what would give out first: Cantlay's amazing clutch-putting or DeChambeau's accuracy off the tee. For the fourth but final time, the two returned to the 18th tee and found the fairway. This time though, DeChambeau hit his approach shot to about eight feet, but faced a difficult downhill putt. Cantlay landed his approach shot to about 17 feet, but despite the further distance, had the easier putt. In what was perhaps his most impressive putt all day, Cantlay sank his birdie putt with authority, putting DeChambeau in that all too familiar pressure putt situation. Unfortunately for DeChambeau, he missed his putt to extend the playoff, handing Cantlay a well deserved victory. 

 

This playoff was the epitome of the golf phrase we've all heard: "drive for show, putt for dough" and boy was that true for Cantlay today. 

 

It's hard to explain just how clutch Cantlay's putting was. I think I speak for most people when I say that this was the absolute best playoff I have ever seen in all my years watching and covering the PGA Tour. It was unprecedented. Cantlay was downed many times, but not out. I have never seen so many clutch putts and in such pressure situations. If he missed any one of his putts, DeChambeau would have won.

 

For those who could not watch the playoff live, I highly recommend checking out video of the playoff holes. The PGA Tour's TOURCast web-app is a great way to see this too and offers clips and shot paths of each hole.

THE TOP 30: WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT

With the conclusion of the BMW Championship, the Top 30 in the FedEx Cup rankings and thus the field for the Tour Championship, has been set.

Erik van Rooyen gets into Top 30, finishing in 27th place from a 45th place start. He shot a 65 during his Sunday round that included a clutch birdie at the 18th, which likely got him in, and finished solo third.

Sergio Garcia also gets in, moving up 16 places from 44th to 28th, after a T6 finish. Garcia's final round featured a few bogeys, but these were negated by some excellent bunker shots. 

K.H. Lee went on a birdie streak during his final round, making birdies on the 13th, 14th, 15th and 17th holes. Unfortunately, he found water on the 18th hole and bogeyed, resulting in him finishing one place short of the Top 30, at 31st.

Notable players out of the Top 30 include Webb Simpson, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Canadian Mackenzie Hughes and Phil Mickelson.

For a full list of who in the field next week, check out the PGA Tour website HERE.

HOW DID OUR PICKS FINISH?

1) Jon Rahm: T9 at 18-under, 4th

2) Justin Thomas: T22 at 14-under, 6th

3) Louis Oosthuizen: T38 at 10-under, 14th

 

Not bad overall, all three will be playing next week and have a chance to win the FedEx Cup. 

 

***

 

This concludes our coverage of what was hands down the most exciting tournament of the year. Our coverage continues next week with the final FedEx Cup playoff event and final tournament of the year: the prestigious Tour Championship. 

 

Stay tuned for our preview of the tournament later this week!

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

Kisner Triumps Through 6-Man Playoff to Win 2021 Wyndham Championship

 

Through all the chaos and drama, Kevin Kisner wins the 2021 Wyndham Championship (image: Chris Seward/AP)

 

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

It's safe to say that the 2021 PGA Tour season went out with a bang.

 

After much drama, on what was perhaps one of the most hectic Sundays of the season, Kevin Kisner has emerged victorious at Sedgefield Country Club. It wasn't easy though; he needed to battle through a six-man playoff that consisted of Adam Scott, Kevin Na, Branden Grace, Si Woo Kim and Canadian Roger Sloan, all who finished their final rounds at 15-under.

 

This is Kisner's fourth win on the PGA Tour and first since 2019. The win propels him up the FedEx Rankings to 29th place and also secures his PGA playing status through the 2022-2023 season.

 

 

15-UNDER TO THE PLAYOFF

The craziness that was the final round was progressing quite normally until the second half. 54 hole leader Russell Henley led the tournament at 17-under, with a two shot lead over Justin Rose. But on the 11th hole, Henley missed a two-foot putt for par and dropped a shot. His lead would soon evaporate, as he would go on to bogey holes 12, 14 and 18, missing the playoff by a single stroke. He shot a 71 on the day; the only score in the 70s out of the top 35 players.

 

Meanwhile, Kevin Kisner, Kevin Na, Brandon Grace and Roger Sloan all started their days four shots off the lead at 11-under, while Adam Scott started five shots back and Si Woo Kim six shots back. 

 

Each player managed to get to the infamous 15-under in their own unique way. Kisner managed to birdie holes 16 and 17, hitting a remarkable approach shot on the 17th hole to a few feet for an easy birdie. Kevin Na eagled the par 5 15th hole, but faced a tough up-and-down on the 18th hole. He sunk his par putt and remained at 15-under.  Brandon Grace birdied holes 15 and 16 and needed birdie on the 18th hole to get into the playoff. One long clutch putt later and he was in. All three shot 66s.

 

Si Woo Kim carded the low score of the bunch, with a 64 that included birdies on 13 and 17, and a eagle on the par 5 5th hole. Adam Scott also played his final few holes well, carding back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16. And finally, the Canadian Roger Sloan carded back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 to get to 15-under.

 

When it was all said and done, the playoff featured six players, setting the record for the largest playoff in PGA Tour history, in terms of participants. To me, these final rounds summarized exactly what the Wyndham Championship is all about; a hectic, crazy last-dash to get into the playoffs, whether it be the FedEx Cup Playoffs or tournament playoffs.

 

 

A PLAYOFF TO REMEMBER

With the players all set, the sixsome headed back to the 18th tee to start the playoff. 

 

All six players hit decent tee shots, but it was their approaches to the green where things got interesting. Scott and Sloan both found the green with theirs, Kisner landed just short of the green, as did Grace, Na ended up in the greenside bunker and Kim overshot the green. Scott had the advantage, being closest to the hole and on the green. Amazingly though, Na managed to chip out and sink a long putt for par, Kisner, Grace and Kim both chipped and putted for par, and Sloan missed his birdie putt by also carded a par. 

 

It was all down to Scott, who from the looks of it had an easy putt for the win. He studied the putt with his caddie for a little bit, assuming there would be a significant break in it. But there was no break and Scott missed the putt, to everyone's amazement. He too parred so back to the 18th tee box the sixsome went; six players, six different strategies, yet the same score....again.

 

This time though, only Sloan, Kisner and Scott found the fairway, and the advantage was in their favor now. Again, we saw a variety of approaches to the 18th green. Kim found the greenside bunker, Kisner landed on the green and close, as did Brandon Grace. Scott landed on the green but further away from the flag, as did Sloan and Na overshot the green. It looked as though birdie attempts were possible for Grace and Kisner. Grace putted first but missed his birdie putt, after coming very close. But Kisner, keen not to extend the playoff any longer, sank his birdie putt. And it was good enough for the win, as the rest of the field could only manage pars.

 

Shortly after sinking the putt, Kisner was heard saying this was his first playoff win. In fact, up to that point in his career, Kisner had been in five previous playoffs on the PGA Tour but couldn't convert in either of them, the most famous being the 2015 Players Championship. His streak was finally broken and what a way to do it.

 

 

SEDGEFILED VERSUS THE WEATHER

The chaos of the final round began even before the first tee shot was taken on Sunday. As a result of the inclement weather forecasted for the afternoon, all tee times were bumped up by several hours, with three to a time slot. The final group teed off just after 9am local time. 

 

This led to all sorts of TV scheduling conflicts, as the Ladies Scottish Open and US Amateur were also being broadcasted, among other sports. In Canada, pre-recorded final round coverage was aired in the afternoon, and viewers were not able to watch the final round live unless they were subscribed to various US network streaming services. 

 

As for Sedgefield itself, the course continued to remain vulnerable, with sub-60 round being had by all players virtually in contention. The low round of the day was a 62 shot by Chesson Hadley, aided by a hole-in-one on the par 3 16th hole. This was Hadley's first hole-in-one ever, both professionally or as an amateur.

 

 

FEDEX CUP RANKINGS SHAKE-UP

As if all the above drama was not enough, the FedEx Cup Playoffs battle was still being hotly contested during the final round. 

 

Ryan Armour (122nd), Patrick Rodgers (123rd) and Bo Hoag (125th) all fell below the 125th place cutoff after all missing the cut.

 

Chesson Hadley remarkably finished right in 125th place. This finish guarantees him his Tour card through next season as well as entry into the playoffs.

 

Roger Sloan shot up 39 places from 131st to 92nd as a result of his T2 finish. 

 

Scott Piercy also made it into the playoffs, going from 126th to 116th.

 

Justin Rose, who needed a good finish this week to get into the playoffs, came up one place short at 126th. He was left with a short par putt on the 18th green, but unfortunately missed it. That putt was costly though, as he finished two shots back, but at T10. In a normal tournament, finishing two back would put you in a higher place on the leaderboard, hence more points, but that was not the case this week due to the large playoff contingent. It also didn't help that Hadley had an excellent finish to the tournament.

 

 

MATTHEW WOLFF IS A WINNER TOO THIS WEEK 

Despite being cut from the tournament, Matthew Wolff is still a winner this week. He wins the season-long AON Risk Reward Challenge this year and a cheque for 1 million dollars.

 

The AON Risk Reward Challenge is quite neat. It's a challenge designed to reward players who score well on the toughest holes in each tournament. The way it works is that each week, a hole at a tournament is chosen, with each player's score for that hole being recorded. Whoever has the best score at the end of the year, wins the challenge. Think of it as a single round of golf made up of one hole from each tournament. For this week, the 15th hole was chosen, where Wolff carded a par and birdie in his two rounds.

 

 

CANADIAN PRESENCE AT SEDGEFIELD

Amidst all the chaos of the Wyndham Championship, it should be noted that Canadians were well represented on the leaderboard, with three being in the top-10 alone (Roger Sloan T2, Nick Taylor T10 and Adam Hadwin T10). 

 

As for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, Sloan, Taylor, Hadwin and Mackenzie Hughes are all in it.

 

We've being saying this for years, but Canadian professional golf is in good hands, both on the PGA and LPGA Tour.

 

 

PICKS RESULTS

To wrap it all up, here is how our picks finished off the week:

 

1) Justin Rose: T10 at 13-under

2) Tommy Fleetwood: T65 at 1-under

 

Again, you have to feel bad for Rose's situation. And Fleetwood's was no better, plummeting down the leaderboard after weekend scores of 72 and 73. The two don't get into the playoffs but on the upside will have some time off in the upcoming weeks.

***

Whew, let's all take a deep breath now and exhale. That ends the 2020-2021 PGA Tour season and what a way to go out. From collapses, to weather disruptions, to TV conflicts, to a six-man playoff, the 2021 Wyndham Championship had it all this year and lived up to the hype. 

But now the serious fun begins, as the FedEx Cup Playoffs commence with the first event of the playoffs, The Northern Trust (formerly The Barclays) at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey.

Stay tuned for our coverage of that and much more,

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews