PGA TOUR
Fortinet Championship
Homa Wins Consecutive PGA Tour Season-Opener
American Max Homa successfully defended the Fortinet Championship in Napa, California for the perfect start to the new PGA Tour season. The season-opener at the Johnny Miller re-designed North Course at Silverado Resort and Spa is the first event of 47 tournaments that make up the 2022/23 FedExCup.
Homa scored a narrow one-shot victory over England’s Danny Willett. It was the 31-year-old American’s fifth PGA Tour title and third win in 12 months. Homa’s latest win came after a rush of drama on the final hole where he trailed playing partner Willett by one shot at the closing par 5. With both golfers playing three shots, Willett rested just 3½ feet from the hole. Homa’s ball lay in a hollow short of the green and 32 feet from the cup. Playing first, Homa pitched into the hole from off the green for an unlikely birdie. The remarkable shot unnerved Willett, who still faced his short birdie putt for the win. Willett blasted his birdie attempt six feet passed the cup and then missed his par save to send the pair into a playoff.
Homa posted rounds of 65, 67, 72 and 68 to reach 16-under. Willett finished solo second at 15-under after carding a final round 3-under 69. America’s Taylor Montgomery fired a sensational 8-under 64 on Sunday to take outright third place at 13-under. Rickie Fowler indicated his game is ready to make a return to top leaderboards in 2022/23. The 33-year-old, who last won on the PGA Tour at the 2019 Phoenix Open, signed for a final round 3-under 69 to get to 11-under and finish in a tie for sixth place.
Harrison Endycott was the best-placed Australian. The 26-year-old from Sydney surged into contention at his PGA Tour debut start with a stunning 7-under 65 on Saturday. Endycott, who won the Korn Ferry Tour’s Huntsville Championship in May, closed with an even par round of 72. He took a share of 12th place at 9-under.
The golfing world turns its attention to next week and the Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. The United States are the defending champions after their narrow 16 to 14 win at Royal Melbourne in 2019.
Final Scores
Fortinet Championship
1. Max Homa -16
2. Danny Willett -15
3. Taylor Montgomery -13
T4. Byeong Hun An -12
T4. Justin Lower -12
T6. Rickie Fowler -11
T6. Nick Taylor -11
T6. Sahith Theegala -11
Australians
T12. Harrison Endycott -9
T25. Cameron Percy -7
T36. Aaron Baddeley -6
MC. Cam Davis
MC. Jason Day
Photo credit: Mike Mulholland /Getty Images
