PGA TOUR
Taylor Pendrith Wins Maiden PGA TOUR Title At The CJ CUP Byron Nelson
Canada’s TaylorPendrith is golf’s latest first-time winner on the PGA TOUR claiming the CJ CUP Byron Nelson in a tight finish. The 32-year-old produced a come-from-behind victory at the final hole to overcome America’s Ben Kohles by one shot.
Pendrith trailed Kohles by one shot playing the 72nd hole. With both players searching for their maiden PGA TOUR win, nerves would play a role in the result. In the end, Pendrith rallied posting a clutch two-putt birdie at the par 5, final hole. Kohles, succumbed to the pressure, needing two chips to make the putting surface. The 34-year-old missed his par putt from five feet, which would have forced a playoff. It was the only bogey by the field on Sunday at the 18th hole.
Pendrith fired rounds of 64, 67, 63 and 67 to reach 23-under at TPC Craig Ranch in Texas. His first PGA TOUR title was earned at his 74th start. The Canadian’s previous best finish was T2 at the 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Kohles secured solo second place with a 5-under 66 final round to get to 22-under. It was his best finish on the PGA TOUR eclipsing his T5 at the 2023 RSM Classic. Kohles boasts four wins on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Sweden’s Alex Noren staked outright third place. The 41-year-old closed with a bogey-free 6-under 65 to finish at 21-under. Noren, who owns 10 wins on the European Tour, remains winless on the PGA Tour after 173 starts.
Min Woo Lee was the best-placed Australian. The 25-year-old from Perth carded a 2-under 69 final round to get to 15-under, which was good enough for a T24 result. Adam Scott (T30), Aaron Baddeley (T40), Harrison Endycott (T52) and Jason Day (T58) finished above the cut line.
The PGA TOUR heads to North Carolina for next week’s Wells Fargo Championship to be staged at Quail Hollow Club. America’s Wyndham Clark is the defending champion.
Final Scores
1. Taylor Pendrith -23
2. Ben Kohles -22
3. Alex Noren -21
T4. SH Kim -20
T4. Aaron Rai -20
T4. Matt Wallace -20
T4. Byeong Hun An -20
Australians
T24. Min Woo Lee -15
T30. Adam Scott -14
T40. Aaron Baddeley -13
T52. Harrison Endycott -10
T58. Jason Day -9
Image Credit: Sam Hodde/Getty Images
