|
 In a wild final-round shootout on the U.S. Labor Day, Kirk fired
a flawless five-under-par 66 at the TPC Boston to win the second of
four lucrative FedExCup playoff events on the U.S. circuit.
The 29-year-old birdied the 13th and 16th to pull two strokes clear
and narrowly missed another birdie attempt, from nine feet at the
last, to post a 15-under total of 269.
Kirk not only claimed his second PGA Tour title of the season but he
took over at the top of the FedExCup standings and advanced his
claims for a late Ryder Cup call-up by U.S. captain Tom Watson on
Tuesday.
"Just unbelievable," Kirk, who outshot Rory McIlroy by four shots in
the final round after being paired with the world number one, told
NBC Sports. "My biggest win ever.
"I was just trying to go play like I did yesterday," said Kirk,
referring to his third-round 64. "Obviously I didn't shoot quite as
low as yesterday but I really felt good with the putter today."
Billy Horschel bogeyed the final hole, after hitting his second shot
into a hazard, to card a 69 and finish joint second at 13 under with
fellow American Russell Henley (70) and Australian Geoff Ogilvy
(65).
McIlroy, who began the final round just two strokes off the pace in
pursuit of his fourth PGA Tour victory in five starts, had to settle
for a share of fifth place at 11 under after closing with a 70 that
included five birdies and four bogeys.
OVERNIGHT LEAD
Henley had been a stroke in front of the chasing pack overnight and
was briefly caught at the top by Horschel before he edged ahead by
sinking a seven-footer to birdie the par-five second hole.
Horschel again pulled level, with a birdie at the par-five seventh,
before being handed the outright lead when Henley bogeyed the
par-three eighth after his tee shot ended up in a greenside bunker.
Kirk joined Horschel at 13 under when he picked up his third shot of
the day at the ninth, sinking an 11-footer, before Ogilvy made it a
three-way tie at the top when he birdied the 13th.
Brilliant birdie putts from 23 feet at the 13th and from 13 feet at
the 16th put Kirk two ahead and, though Horschel briefly cut the
deficit to one with a birdie of his own at the 15th, Kirk maintained
control with a par-par finish.
[to top of second column] |
Horschel had been bogey-free in the final round until he dumped his second
shot at the par-five last, a six-iron from 212 yards, into the hazard
guarding the front of the green.
"The worst swing I've made all week," said the 27-year-old American, who
was seeking a second career victory on the PGA Tour.
"My ball was a little bit below my feet, uphill lie, and I just wanted
to make sure I stayed in the golf shot. I knew anything on the green or
in the right bunker was good, I was trying to make sure I hit a good
golf shot.
"It's unfortunate. I played really good today, not to make a bogey until
18. A lot of good stuff happened today ... it just wasn't my day, I
guess, hitting that bad of a shot."
The triumphant Kirk now faces a waiting game until U.S. captain Watson
announces his three wildcard picks on Tuesday to complete the 12-man
team to take on holders Europe at the Sept. 26-28 Ryder Cup in
Gleneagles, Scotland.
"I definitely have put myself in contention for one (of the picks),"
said Kirk, who would be a Cup rookie if selected. "If I get picked,
great. If not, then I am still very happy with my win today."
The top 70 players on the FedExCup points list after the Deutsche Bank
Championship advance to next week's BMW Championship in Englewood,
Colorado where the leading 30 will qualify for the Sep. 11-14 Tour
Championship finale in Atlanta.
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Gene
Cherry)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
