Taylor wins Sony Open on second play-off hole

You are currently viewing Taylor wins Sony Open on second play-off hole
epa11408749 Nick Taylor of the Canada hits from the sand on the 16th hole during the first round of the 2024 US Open golf tournament at Pinehurst No. 2 course in Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA, 13 June 2024. EPA/CJ GUNTHER

Canada’s Nick Taylor knocked in a birdie putt from less than three feet away on the second playoff hole to win the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.

Taylor, who had a dramatic eagle to conclude the final round, edged Colombia’s Nico Echavarria after both finished the tournament with 16-under-par 264s. They both turned in 5-under 65s in the final round.

Taylor and Echavarria were forced to repeat the par-5 No. 18 after they both birdied it on the first extra hole. Taylor made a 10-foot putt and Echavarria followed by draining a 5 1/2-footer. On the second playthrough, Echavarria missed an 8 1/2-footer for birdie to set up Taylor for the win.

“I’m a bit stunned this worked out this way,” Taylor said.

It’s his fifth PGA Tour victory. The last three have come in playoffs.

“I feel like I can rise to the occasion,” Taylor said. “It’s pretty fun.”

On the second playoff hole, the 30-year-old Echavarria three putted to reach the hole.

“One bad putt can’t define a great week,” Echavarria said, bemoaning the first attempt after reaching the green.

Third-round leader J.J. Spaun (68) and Germany’s Stephan Jaeger (67) shared third place at 15 under. They were in the final grouping and had chances to join the leaders, but both finished with pars.

Eric Cole (68) birdied the final hole to finish alone in fifth place at 14 under. There was a four-way tie for sixth place at 13 under with Jackson Suber (65), Adam Schenk (65), Patrick Fishburn (69) and Keegan Bradley (68).

South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen finished tied in3 0th place after a final round 66 gave hm a tournament total of 271. It secured $52,138 in prize money.