Kizzire ends PGA Tour win drought, secures card
Patton Kizzire has secured his PGA Tour card for another two years with a five-stroke win at the Procore Championship in Napa, California.
The victory ended a long PGA Tour victory drought for the 38-year-old American, who closed with a scrambling two-under 70 on Sunday to win at 20-under 268 at Silverado Country Club in the FedEx Cup Fall opener.
Kizzire had gone 176 events without a victory after winning events in Mexico and Hawaii in a two-month span in late 2017 and early 2018.
Having entered the event 132nd in the fight to earn a tour card with a top-125 finish in standings, he secured a card for the next two years for his win.
"I'm going to enjoy this win ," Kizzire said. "It's just so sweet to get through the ups and downs. That's life. You just got to stay positive. That's what led me to here, to right now."
He repeatedly misfired off the tee for a second consecutive day, but stayed steady with his approach shots and had three birdies, an eagle and three bogeys.
"I knew that it would be difficult not to get ahead of myself with a four-shot lead heading into today," Kizzire said.
"I wrote down in my yard book, 'I am here, I I am now.' Kept going back to that. That helped me be disciplined and stay present. That's what really helped me come out on top."
David Lipsky was second after a 71. Patrick Fishburn (71) was third at 14 under. Mackenzie Hughes (72), Ben Silverman (71) and Greyson Sigg (72) were another stroke back.
Australian star Min Woo Lee (71) had to settle for tied 32nd at seven under while veteran countryman Aaron Baddeley (72) tied for 50th at three under.
With the top 125 golfers securing their card for next year, Lee is 60th in the standings and not in any danger of losing his status.
However, Baddeley is currently No.156 and needs to play well in the coming events to get inside the top 150 and secure partial status on the tour.