DUBLIN, United States (AFP) – Bryson DeChambeau birdied the second extra hole to beat South Korea’s An Byeong-hun and capture the biggest title of his career on Sunday at the Memorial.
DeChambeau, 24, thrust his arms skyward in no less than seven double fist-pumps after rolling in his winning 12-foot putt at the 18th hole at Muirfield Village.
DeChambeau, An and Kyle Stanley had ended regulation play tied on 15-under par, but only after the two Americans each bogeyed the 72nd hole.
Stanley, 30 was eliminated with another bogey on the first playoff hole – the 18th.
An and DeChambeau returned to the 18th tee for the second playoff hole, with An’s second shot coming to rest against a spectator’s umbrella.
After a free drop he found the green but DeChambeau settled things with his birdie effort, saying his second career US PGA Tour title was even more special coming in the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event.
An, who burst onto the world stage in capturing the 2015 European Tour’s BMW PGA Championship, was gracious in defeat. He posted a final-round 69.
Tiger Woods’ much-anticipated final round charge never materialized as the 14-time major champion struggled with three bogeys coming in.
Much of his trouble came on the greens, but he also went out of bounds at 13 en route to an even par 72 for a share of 23rd place on nine-under par.
”Well, I had some chances to shoot some good rounds this week,” Woods said after his last tuneup before the US Open begins at Shinnecock Hills on June 14.
