The National Times - Yu bags first PGA Tour win with playoff win

Yu bags first PGA Tour win with playoff win


Yu bags first PGA Tour win with playoff win
Yu bags first PGA Tour win with playoff win / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Taiwan's Kevin Yu bagged the first PGA Tour win of his career in a playoff after a dramatic finale at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississippi on Sunday.

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The 26-year-old from Taipei conjured a birdie on the par-four 18th to grab a share of the lead and then downed Beau Hossler on the opening playoff hole to clinch victory at the Country Club of Jackson.

It capped a remarkable final round rally for Yu, who had carded a closing five-under-par 67 to finish on 23 under alongside Hossler at the top of the leaderboard.

"It's literally a dream come true," an elated Yu said after his win.

"I've been dreaming of this moment since I was five. I think this is the dream for all the golfers -- to win on PGA."

Yu paid tribute to his parents -- who were on hand to witness his victory -- for helping him forge a career as a professional golfer.

"My dad taught me how to play golf since I was five and they've been working really hard, sacrificing a lot of the things...without them I can't have done this today."

Yu had started the final round two off the lead behind Keith Mitchell on 20 under, with Hossler just a shot ahead.

Mitchell's final round challenge wilted though with a patchy two-under-par 70, allowing Hossler to take the lead with a four-under-par 68, moving a shot clear of the field with a birdie on the 17th hole.

But Yu fought back with a brilliant birdie on 18, rolling in a 15-foot pressure putt to force a playoff.

Yu then repeated the feat as the playoff returned to the 18th, this time though setting up a birdie chance with a second shot that left him just five feet from the hole.

T.Hancock--TNT