Sutherland Rides Back-Nine Birdie Binge to Principal Charity Classic Victory

0
Kevin Sutherland Wins Principal Charity Classic
Kevin Sutherland chips onto the 18th green on the second playoff hole during the final round of the Principal Charity Classic at the Wakonda Club on June 02, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images

Kevin Sutherland shot a course-record 62 to overcome an eight-shot deficit, and then edged Scott Parel in a playoff to win the Principal Charity Classic.

Sutherland started his day with five straight pars before adding birdies on Nos 6 and 8 to turn in 34, still several shots back of first- and second-round leader Parel, who would turn in 35.

A back-nine 28, though, which included eight birdies against one par, resulted in a 62 for Sutherland, and a 17-under total, which tied Parel, who carded 35 on the back as well.

Playing the 18th as the overtime hole, the two leaders each made par-4s on the first go-round, but on the second trip up 18, Sutherland made birdie to Parel’s second-straight par, to win the title.

“I putted really well all week, especially the last 27 holes. I mean, it’s about as good as I can do,” said Sutherland, who also won the Rapiscan Systems Classic earlier this season in a playoff.

“So it was a fun day. Twenty-eight on the back. I never really thought about at all at any point until I got to about 15 that I had any chance to win the tournament. It just happened to work out my way.”

Jerry Kelly closed with a 6-under 66 to secure solo third place on 16-under par, three clear of fourth-place finisher David Toms (68).

With his second win of the season, Sutherland picked up a check for $277,500, and moved to No. 3 in the Charles Schwab Cup race.


Quotable

Kevin Sutherland Wins Principal Charity Classic
Dan Houston, Chairman, President and CEO of Principal Financial Group, presents Kevin Sutherland with the trophy for winning the Principal Charity Classic at the Wakonda Club on June 02, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images
“I guess. I have had a history of shooting a lot of low scores. I think I get greedy and I think when I get going, I kind of want to do more and I get excited to get to the next hole because I think there’s going to be another birdie coming. I’m not sure what else it could be, but it’s a nice thing to have.”
Kevin Sutherland


Final Top-5 Check Cashers

Pos-Player-To Par (Final Rd)
1. Kevin Sutherland -17 (-10)
2. Scott Parel -17 (-2)
3. Jerry Kelly -16 (-6)
4. David Toms -13 (-4)
5. Kent Jones -11 (-6)
5. Corey Pavin -11 (-3)
5. Gene Sauers -11 (-2)


Sutherland’s Winning Stats

Driving: 298.2 yards (4th)
Fairways: 23/42, 54.8% (62nd)
Greens: 44/54, 81.5% (3rd)
Putts/GIR: 71/1.614 (9th)
Scoring: 22 Birdies, 27 Pars, 5 Bogeys


Video: Best Final-Round Shots


Credit: PGA TOUR Media, Getty Images


Advertisement

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your name here