Grillo nearly hits McIlroy in Frys.com win

Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo beat Kevin Na in a playoff to win the Frys.com Open, a day after he missed Rory McIlroy’s head by inches with a drive on the 17th.

Emilano Grillo holed a superb putt at the 72nd hole for a birdie and a four round total of 15-under-par at the Frys.com Open in California. That number was matched by Kevin Na when the American got up-and-down from the right side of the final green.

On the first playoff hole, Grillo looked to have the victory secured when he stood over a three-foot putt for a birdie, but it horseshoed out and a stunned Grillo had to go back to the tee to try again. This time round, he got the birdie with a 10-foot putt and Na was unable to match it after he had hooked a “driver off the deck” second shot behind a tree.

4 Talking points from the Frys.com Open

1 – Emiliano Grillo missed a three-foot putt earlier this year to win the Puerto Rico Open and secure his PGA Tour card. He fought back and gained playing rights with a win at the Web.com Tour Championship. Now, in his first start on the full PGA Tour, he has a victory. It’s one that will see him play in next year’s U.S. Masters. “You say Masters, I can’t believe it,” he said. “This is awesome.”

On Saturday Grillo almost hit Rory McIlroy on the fly with a drive to the 17th and he was keen that wouldn’t be the most significant thing about his PGA Tour debut.

"I didn't want to be the guy who almost hit Rory McIlroy this week," Grillo said. "Kind of wanted to have this trophy and everybody know me because I have the trophy, and not because I almost hit him."

2 – Rory McIlroy was philosophical about the near miss on Saturday. “Would have put me out of my misery out there a little bit,” he said. The Northern Irishman finished in a tie for 26th and admitted to being unable to find his best golf. He remains in third place on the Official World Golf Ranking. Without playing, Jason Day has moved back to Number 1.

3 – England’s Justin Rose had a chance to win at Siverado CC after he reached the turn in 34 on the final day. But dropped shots at the 12th, 15th and 17th holes meant he fell back and ended the week in a tie for sixth.

Justin Rose swing sequence:

4 – Sunday was a bad day for overnight leader Brendan Steele. He held on to his chances over a wild front nine but on the run for home things came apart. He recorded five bogeys in his final seven holes to come home in 40 and post a 76. He fell back into 17th place.

Frys.com Open Silverado CC, Napa, California Oct 15-18 Purse: $6,000,000, par 72

1    Emiliano Grillo (Arg)    68    71    65    69    273    $1,080,000 2    Kevin Na (USA)        68    71    64    70    273    $648,000 T3    Jason Bohn (USA)    72    68    64    70    274    $312,000 T3    Justin Thomas (USA)    66    70    69    69    274    $312,000 T3    Tyrone Van Aswegen (RSA) 69 68    69    68    274    $312,000 T6    Kyle Reifers (USA)    68    71    65    72    276    $194,250 T6    Patrick Rodgers (USA)    68    69    69    70    276    $194,250 T6    Justin Rose (Eng)        67    69    68    72    276    $194,250 T6    Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 71    68    69    68    276    $194,250

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage