Stats: Kodaira Wins RBC As Entire Top 10 Flames Out

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Credit: Getty Images/Streeter Lecka

In a Sunday scramble to beat the rain, little-known Satoshi Kodaira of Japan snuck up on everyone and pulled out a surprise victory at the RBC Heritage.

Credit: Getty Images/Streeter Lecka

Starting the day six shots off the lead, and seemingly an afterthought at T12, the six-time Japan Tour winner made birdies on the first three holes to turn in 33, and three more gains against one bogey coming home saw the 28-year old sign for a 5-under 66.

Meanwhile the 11 players ahead of him, who comprised the top 10 after 54 holes, all flamed out on Sunday, with not one posting a round under-par, and only Si Woo Kim shooting even-par (71). Collectively, this group of 11 finished 27-over par, while Kodaiara was 5-under by himself.

Here is what the top 12 looked like on Saturday evening, and their final-round score and position in parenthesis:

TOP 10 (AFTER 54)

1 Ian Poulter -13 (75, -9, T7)
2 Luke List -12 (72, -11, T3)
2 Si Woo Kim -12 (71, -12, 2)
4 C.T. Pan -11 (76, -6, T23)
4 Billy Horschel -11 (72, -10, T5)
6 Kevin Kisner -10 (72, -9, T7)
6 Chesson Hadley -10 (72, -9, T7)
8 Rory Sabbatini -9 (74, -6, T23)
9 Ryan Moore -8 (72, -7, T16)
9 Matt Kuchar -8 (73, -6, T23)
9 Danny Lee -8 (79, E, T55)
12 Satoshi Kodaira -7 (66, -12, 1)

If 54-hole leader Ian Poulter shoots just even-par, he wins, or a 1-under par 70 from either Kim or Luke List and they’re wearing plaid. And that’s just to win outright. A 1-over 72 gets Poulter into a playoff, or a 70 puts Billy Horschel into overtime, and so on.

A huge opportunity lost for several players, eleven of them to be exact.

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