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Thomas' seven-stroke comeback win marked the largest 54-hole comeback to win a major championship since the 1999 Open Championship. It was just the sixth time in history that a golfer won a major after trailing by seven strokes or more entering the final round.
(GETTY)
Now, that would you call a roaring comeback!
Justin Thomas came back from seven strokes on Sunday to win the 104th PGA Championship at Southern Hills, forcing the tournament into a three-hole aggregate playoff that he eventually won over Will Zalatoris to take home the second Wanamaker Trophy of his young career. In doing so, Thomas tied for the third-largest comeback after 54 holes in major championship history.
Thomas began his day at 2 under and roared back with a 3-under 67 in Round 4 that included a bogey-free 3-under 32 on the back nine. He birdied the first and second playoff holes and made par on the last, while Zalatoris matched the birdie on the first hole (No. 13) but was unable to hold serve over the final two (Nos. 17-18).
Watch the highlights of Day 4 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-u1N-0IrFQ
Thomas' seven-stroke comeback win marked the largest 54-hole comeback to win a major championship since the 1999 Open Championship. It was just the sixth time in history that a golfer won a major after trailing by seven strokes or more entering the final round.
"It was a bizarre day. I definitely crossed one off the list. I've never won a tournament shanking a ball on Sunday. That was a first, and man, I'd really like it to be a last," Thomas said after his victory. "... I was asked earlier in the week, 'What lead is safe?' And I said, 'No lead.' This place is so tough, but if you hit the fairways, you can make birdies. I stayed so patient, and I just can't believe I found myself in a playoff."
Zalatoris, meanwhile, achieved a second-place finish at a major for the second time in his career (2021 Masters). It was also his fifth top-eight finish in his last seven major starts. He began the day three strokes off the lead in T2 and posted a 1-over 71 in Round 4.
The tournament was surprise 54-hole leader Mito Pereira's to lose on Sunday as the 27-year-old Chilean opened the day with a three-stroke advantage on the field and either shared the lead or held it outright for every hole but his last. A birdie putt on the 17th, which would have given Pereira a two-stroke lead, stopped a half rotation short of the hole in a heartbreaking moment.
Pereira entered the 18th, the 72nd hole of his tournament, one stroke up on the field only to blast his drive into a creek right of the fairway. He eventually finished with a double bogey, not only giving away his potential victory but opening the door for Thomas and Zalatoris to compete in a playoff for the Wanamaker.
Rory McIlroy speechless after another missed major opportunity
Rory McIlroy will rue the missed opportunity that was the 104th PGA Championship.
He closed in 2-under 68 for a 72-hole total of 2-under 278. Another top-10 at a major and another major without a victory. The four-time major winner is now 0-for-his-last-28.
This one stung. So much so that McIlroy left Southern Hills without saying a word to the media. He declined all requests, packing his bags and departing in his Cadillac courtesy vehicle.
Day 3: Woods shockingly quits after worst round as Mito leads at 9-under par at PGA C'Ship 2022
Day 2: Tenacious Tiger makes cut as Will Zalatoris leads at 9-under par at PGA Championship 2022
Day 1: Rory delivers his longest major birdie run to grab lead; Tiger falters at PGA C’Ship 2022
(Media sources)
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