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Taylor Pendrith Wins First PGA Tour Title After Dramatic Finish

The Canadian birdied the 72nd hole at TPC Craig Ranch to win in a dramatic finale as Kohles made a shock bogey on the 18th

James Nursey
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taylor pendrith holds a trophy

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Taylor Pendrith celebrated his first PGA Tour title after a birdie at the last clinched a tense win over Ben Kohles, who will have nightmares about his collapse on the 18th.

Canadian Pendrith carded a final round 67, which was four-under for a 23-under total and a one shot victory. However, he trailed coming up the last to Ben Kohles, who was six-under on the tee and looking impressive.

Finding the rough, Kohles' approach to the par 5 18th , which was playing the easiest hole on the course, came up short in the rough and he failed to find the green before blowing an up and down chance to gift Pendrith victory at TPC Craig Ranch.

Pendrith, who was hugged on the green by his wife Meg and son Hayes, said: "Ben played great today and birdied the 16th and 17th. I feel for Ben making bogey, he played so well today but I am super-thrilled. It is amazing, I am shaking.

"It was a really good birdie on the last for me. It is super special. I haven't had my best stuff this year but Meg is my biggest fan and to have this little guy by my side is amazing."

The CJ Cup Byron Nelson Leaderboard

  • -23 PENDRITH
  • -22 KOHLES
  • -21 NOREN
  • -20 S.H. KIM, RAI, AN, WALLACE

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James Nursey
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ADAM SCHENK SHOWS HIS INTENT EARLY ON

Adam Schenk is mounting a charge into contention after producing four successive birdies from the second to climb into fifth on -16. He is -4 today and in the middle of the sixth fairway.

TODAY'S TOURNAMENT NAMED IN MEMORY OF BYRON NELSON

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LEADERS UNDERWAY IN FINAL GROUP

The leaders have just teed off with Taylor Pendrith finding the fairway along with Jake Knapp and Ben Kohles, who all find the short grass before Pendrith fires in a close approach to tee up a birdie look which he converts from six foot.

LEADERS WILL HAVE MORE BIRDIE LOOKS ON SECOND

All three members of the final group are on the second green in regulation and have a look at birdie on the 446 yard par four. Pendrith was last to play after outdriving Kohles by 34 yards. But none of the trio are able to make their putts and they move on to the third. 

RAFAEL CAMPOS IS ON FIRE IN THE FINAL ROUND

One player making a major move is Rafael Campos who is up into tied fifth on -16 after a -6 round today. Campos is -6 through nine holes having started on the 10th tee. 

BIG BREAK FOR PENDRITH ON THE THIRD

What a stroke of good luck for leader Pendrith on the third. After finding the fairway off the tee, his 164 yard approach didn't make the green after leaking right but his ball dug into the soft bank on landing and stayed there rather than roll back towards water. He was then able to save par and remains two ahead of Jake Knapp.

Taylor Pendrith in action in final round of CJ Cup

(Image credit: Getty Images)

PENDRITH WITH A CHANCE TO EXTEND HIS LEAD ON THE FOURTH

Pendrith's nearest rival Knapp has missed the green at the par 3 fourth while the leader has hit it. The Canadian has a chance to open up a three-shot lead here with Knapp facing a test to save par but he makes his three as Ben Kohles drained his birdie putt and Pendrith settles for par. 

TEENAGER KRIS KIM CONTINUES TO IMPRESS

English teenage amateur Kim,16, continues to impress and justify his sponsors' invite. The teenager made the cut and is tied 50th at -9 in total and -1 today through six holes. 

Kris Kim in the CJ Cup

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LOOKS LIKE KNAPP TIME ON THE PAR FIVE FIFTH 

Jake Knapp is on the par 5 fifth in two from 284 yards to tee up an eagle putt from 40 feet. He doesn't get a three but has a tap in birdie to get to -19 as he picks up a shot on the leader Pendrith as so does Ben Kohles who has just drained a second successive birdie. 

RAI MAKES HIS MOVE AS BIDS FOR FIRST PGA TOUR TITLE

Aaron Rai has just drained a monster 36 foot putt on the ninth for eagle and he is -6 at the turn and -19 in total, just one shot off the lead. He has also found the fairway on the 10th.

HUGE DRAMA IN LEADING GROUP AT THE SIXTH

After dumping his approach into the sand at the short par 4 sixth, Taylor Pendrith has just holed out from the sand for a birdie three to get to -21. While Ben Kohles makes his third successive birdie and is just one shot back.

THE FINAL GROUP ALL HIT THE PAR 3 SEVENTH 

Pendrith, Kohles and Knapp have all found the putting surface at the par 3 seventh which is 228 yards. No one is able to make a birdie though and Pendrith remains one ahead. 

ANOTHER BIRDIE CHANCE AT THE EIGHTH FOR KOHLES

There have only been three birdies on the eighth today but we could see another here among the final group at the 491-yard par four. Kohles has fired his approach from 197 yards to nine feet and has a chance to go level at the top with Pendrith who is in the sand while Knapp has come up short in two. Kohles makes his fourth birdie and goes top as his playing partners both drop shots. 

KNAPP USES HIS POWER TO GOOD EFFECT ON PAR 5 NINTH

Muscle man Jake Knapp is by the par 5 ninth in two after a drive and a 7iron. He chips up close for a tap in birdie as Pendrith does likewise but Kohles misses his birdie effort and is now in a tie at the top. 

DALLAS NATIVE KOHLES THRILLING THE LOCALS

Kohles is usually playing first with his approach as he trails big hitters Knapp and Pendrith off the tee. It could help him put some pressure on the other two. Kohles has again found the green on the 10th but is 45 feet away on this occasion. Knapp is closest and makes a birdie as Kohles and Pendrith settle for par.

Ben Kohles at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson

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POOR APPROACH FROM PENDRITH ON THE 11TH 

Kohles and Knapp are both on the par four 11th in regulation and will have looks at birdie. But Pendrith has pulled his approach left from 147 yards after a booming 310 drive. He is short sided and Kohles might be on the lead on his own if he makes a par but as it happens Pendrith gets up and down and Knapp and Kohles miss their birdie efforts.

CAMPOS IN THE CLUBHOUSE AFTER FINAL ROUND 63

Rafael Campos has eagled the last to finish -8 with a 63 for a -18 total. 

KNAPP IN BIG TROUBLE ON THE 12TH AFTER DRIVING INTO TREES

Knapp looks likely to drop at least one shot on the par four 12th after driving into the trees. He is on the green in three with a 205 yard shot but has a 30 foot par putt. Pendrith by contrast as hit a wedge in and has a makeable birdie putt. Knapp bogeys the hole but Pendrith buries his.

Jake Knapp in trouble at the CJ Cup

(Image credit: Sky Sports)

WALLACE CHIPS IN AND FIST PUMPS

Matt Wallace had a slow start as several putts burnt the hole but he is -2 for the day and well in this on -19 in total after chipping in on the 12th before also making birdie on the 13th.  

PENDRITH'S DRIVING CONTINUES TO IMPRESS

Leader Taylor Pendrith is known for his powerful straight driving and he has unleashed another fine shot on the 13th after hitting his driver 317 yards on to the fairway at the par 4 but his approach is poor and finds the rough before he chips up close to get his par for his 13th up and down out of 16 attempts this week. Knapp has to play out of the sand after missing his latest approach and he drops another shot.

Taylor Pendrith points to the crowd after holing from the bunker

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MISSED OPPORTUNITY ON SHORT PAR 4 14TH FOR THE FINAL GROUP

Pendrith , Kohles and Knapp have all missed birdie putts on the short par 4 14th. It appears the trio are all tightening up with this title on the line and up for grabs.

PENDRITH HAS ANOTHER LOOK AT BIRDIE ON 15TH

Pendrith has hit a fine tee shot on the par 3 15th with a 223-yard iron shot to 11 foot but for the second successive hole , the leader has missed his birdie putt and has to settle for par along with Kohles and Knapp.

PENDRITH MISSES 16TH FAIRWAY BUT FINDS GREEN WITH APPROACH

Pendrith hit a huge 334-yard drive on the 16th but missed the fairway before he was able to find the green though from 159 yards, from where he has a 53-foot putt fas he gets down in two for par. But Kohles makes birdie after sticking it in close and they are level again.

THE SHORT STADIUM PAR 3 17TH IS GOING TO BE TENSE

We have a tie at the top between Pendrith and Kohles with two holes left. The par 3 17th is playing 130 yards with fans packed all around. It is set up for a tense finale. Kohles to play first with his wedge which he puts to 20 feet left of the pin. Pendrith's attempt hits the green but spins back off the false front from where he isn't on the fairway and doesn't get a lift and place. Kohles drains his birdie putt and is now infront as Pendrith scrambles a par.

Taylor Pendrith on the 71st hole at the CJ Cup

(Image credit: Sky Sports)

KOHLES TEES OFF ON 18TH WHICH IS JUDGED EASIEST HOLE ON COURSE

Leader Kohles has teed off at the par 5 18th and has hit it 292 yards into the first cut. Kohles has then gone for the green in two but come up just short. He is likely to need a chip and a put for the title as Pendrith, trailing by a shot, is on the green in two after a 322 yard drive. 

Ben Kholes fist pumps on the 71st hole

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FINAL GREEN SHOOT OUT TAKING PLACE

Kohles must get up and down from infront of the green to make Pendrith hole his lengthy eagle putt to force a Play Off. But Kohles has chunked his chip and come up short again. Nightmare for Kohles who could gift Pendrith the title here. 

PENDRITH HAS HUGE EAGLE PUTT FOR THE TOURNAMENT

Pendrith is on the green in two and has a putt for the title with a chance of an eagle three from 41 feet. It curls off short and right. Now Kohles must make his par putt but he misses and makes his first bogey of the day with a 6 after being just by the green in two. Pendrith has a short putt for the title now.

PENDRITH HAS A SHORT PUTT FOR THE TITLE 

Taylor Pendrith birdies the last to win his first PGA Tour title with a four after Ben Kohles makes a disastrous bogey despite being just short in two.