VETERAN American golfer Jim Furyk struck back against the 21 year olds on the weekend with his first US PGA Tour victory since 2010.
The 44 year has gone through lots of heartache – and second place finishes – but never gave up hope of winning again, despite all the talk of the new era of youth in world golf.
Furyk chalked up what was his 17th career US PGA Tour victory on Sunday, shooting a day’s-best 8-under par 63 at the RBC Heritage Classic at a course that suits his short but precise game – the Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.
Finishing tied on 18-under, he then held off South Carolina native Kevin Kisner (64) in a two-hole playoff with a combination of deadly accurate approach shots and clutch birdie putts to win the tournament for the second time.
“It’s been a little over four and a half (years), to be exact,” said a clearly emotional Furyk. “And I think that dropping that putt and getting excited on 17, there was a lot of pent-up frustration.
“I can’t think of a more fitting place to kind of break that streak and get another win under my belt. This is my favorite event. I love being here. And outside of winning another major championship (to add to his 2003 U.S. Open), this is the perfect place to do it.”
Furyk’s 2010 RBC Heritage win was one of three that year, when he snapped a winless streak of three years. He has finished runner-up no less than seven times in the last three years.
One of the 21 year olds in question, reigning Masters champion Jordan Spieth, opened the event with a very understandable 3-over 74 then promptly followed it up with a 9-under 62. The energy expended in his Masters win and the whirlwind that followed finally flagged on the final day with a 70 seeing the young Texan and now world No.2 finish at 10-under tied for 11th.
After a highly successful four week campaign, Spieth will take a well-earned break before the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Match Play at TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, in two weeks.
The best of the Aussies this week was tournament invitee Cameron Smith, closing with a 4-under 71 to finish at a very encouraging 9-under tied for 15th. The 21 year old turned pro in 2013 and is still looking for his first professional win.
Smith has also secured an invite to this week’s US PGA Tour event, the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, where compatriot Jason Day is also a scheduled starter.
RBC Heritage Classic Leaderboard