Jason Kokrak Wins Charles Schwab Challenge
Jason Kokrak outlasted Jordan Spieth to win the 75th Anniversary edition of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, TX. Kokrak’s two shot victory was the second win of his PGA TOUR career and second win in this wraparound season following his victory at the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas in October. Kokrak joins Bryson DeChambeau and Stewart Cink as the only players with two wins on the PGA Tour this season.
“I was a little more out of sorts today than I was maybe at Shadow Creek. I think I was more comfortable at that golf course,” Kokrak said. “But I tell you what, to win here, I finished third last year with a putt to get into the playoff last year. I’ve always got good vibes coming here. The people, the fans, the tournament, everybody in the clubhouse does an amazing job, and you know, I can’t say enough about them that makes this tournament special and I’m glad to be sitting here with this jacket on and all that comes with it and to get my name up on that wall.”
When Saturday’s third round ended, Spieth led Kokrak by one stroke, but they had separated themselves from the field with 2001 Colonial champion Sergio Garcia leading the “chase group” at 10-under, four shots behind Kokrak.
Kokrak started his day on an ominous note with a bogey on the par-5 opening hole that played as the easiest hole this week, but Spieth proceeded to bogey the next three holes and appeared out of sorts for the remainder of his round. Spieth grinded his way back into a tie for the lead at the turn, but was unable to replicate the short game wizardy he produced on Saturday.
“I didn’t play well at all quite simply,” Spieth said. “I could have shot even par today and won the golf tournament but from the very get-go, just a really bad start, and then tried to fight my way through it. But I was just really off with my golf swing. I really lost it this weekend. You just have to be in control around Colonial.”
Spieth was going for a wire-to-wire win after the leading after the first three rounds. This is his third runner-up finish to go with his 2016 Colonial title.
There was a four-way tie for third at 10 under with Charley Hoffman, Patton Kizzire, Sebastian Munoz (68) and Ian Poulter.
Last year’s Colonial runner-up Collin Morikawa finished in a tie for 14th at 5-under.
Defending champion Daniel Berger wound up in a tie for 20th at 4-under in a group that also included past champions Justin Rose and Garcia.
Two-time Colonial champion Zach Johnson and Colonial member Ryan Palmer were among those tied for 32nd at 3-under.
Justin Thomas, the highest ranked player in the field at No. 2 in the world, finished in a tie for 40th after a final round 69.
