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
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
