PGA TOUR
Shriners Children’s Open
Tom Kim Defends Shriners Children’s Open Title
Tom Kim walked in his third victory on the PGA Tour at the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 21-year-old scored a one-shot win over Adam Hadwin as he defended the title he won in the desert 12 months ago. It was just his 44th start on the PGA Tour.
Kim overcame a crowded leaderboard late on Sunday when five players held a share of the lead at 18-under with another seven players one shot further back. The world No. 16 was the first man to reach 19-under when he birdied the par 5, 13th hole. He then produced a clutch birdie at the 15th hole to move to 20-under. The young Korean signed for a 5-under 66 final round for the win at TPC Summerlin.
Hadwin poured in a birdie putt from 25 feet at the 72nd hole to claim solo second place at 19-under. The Canadian carded a final round 4-under 67.
Four players took a share of third place at 18-under; Americans Eric Cole (62) and JT Poston (66) plus Sweden’s Alex Noren (65) and Canada’s Taylor Penrith (67).
Cam Davis was the best-placed Australian. The 28-year-old from Sydney fired rounds of 67, 67, 67 and 66 to get to 17-under. His T7 finish is his 8th top 10 this PGA Tour season.
Lexi Thompson became the seventh woman to make a start at a PGA Tour event. The 28-year-old American was hoping to become the first woman to make the 36-hole cut since Babe Zaharias in 1945. Thompson began her campaign with a 2-over 73 opening round. The 11-time LPGA Tour winner bounced back on Friday with a 2-under 69 for an even par total. The cut was at 3-under. Thompson’s second round was just the second sub-70 score by a woman in PGA Tour history. Compatriot Michelle Wie West went one shot better with a 68 at the second round of the 2006 Sony Open.
The PGA Tour moves to Japan for next week’s ZOZO Championship to be staged at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba. America’s Keegan Bradley is the defending champion.
Final Scores
Shriners Children’s Open
1. Tom Kim -20
2. Adam Hadwin -19
T3. Eric Cole -18
T3. Alex Noren -18
T3. Taylor Penrith -18
T3. JT Poston -18
T7. Beau Hossler -17
T7. Cam Davis -17
T7. Chesson Hadley -17
T7. Joel Dahmen -17
T7. KH Lee -17
T7. Isaiah Salinda -17
Other Australians
T56. Harrison Endycott -6
MC. Lucas Herbert
MC. Craig Hocknull
Photo credit: Orlando Ramirez /Getty Images
