Kevin Tway shot a 1-under par 71 on Sunday at Silverado’s North Course and then edged Brandt Snedeker and Ryan Moore in a playoff to claim his first career PGA Tour victory at the Safeway Open.
Tway, who entered the final round three off the pace of 54-hole leader Snedeker, finished his fourth day in Napa with three bogeys offset by four birdies, including two gains on Nos. 17 and 18 to finish 14 under and join Moore and Snedeker in overtime.
In overtime, Snedeker was eliminated after a par on the first hole (No. 18), as Moore and Tway posted matching birdies. Both of the survivors also carded birdies on the second extra hole (the 18th again), with both setting up birdie attempts on the third sudden-death hole as well.
Moore went first and left his 60 footer about two feet shy, setting the stage for Tway to drain his fifth straight birdie for the win.
Tway finished the week third in the field in strokes gained: tee-to-green and tied for the field lead in scrambling.
For his first career title, the 30-year old Oklahoma native earned $1,152,000, along with 500 FedExCup points to move into the early lead in the points race. He also garnered 29 OWGR points and will move inside the world top 100 (No. 85) for the first time in his career.
PRO-FILE
Nationality American
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 185 lb
Birthdate: July 23, 1988 (age 30)
Native: Edmond, Oklahoma
Residence: Edmond, Oklahoma
College: Oklahoma State
FINAL TOP 5
1. Kevin Tway -14 (68-67-68-71)*
2. Ryan Moore -14 (67-67-73-67)
2. Brandt Snedeker -14 (66-65-69-74)
4. Luke List -13 (70-69-69-67)
4. Troy Merritt -13 (67-70-70-68)
4. Sam Ryder -13 (69-70-67-69)
4. Aaron Baddeley -13 (70-67-69-69)
4. Sungjae Im -13 (66-69-69-71)
THE FOUR ROUNDS
After Round 1: T22 (-4, 68)
After Round 2: T5 (-9, 68-67)
After Round 3: 2nd (-13 68-67-68)
After Round 4: 1st (-14 68-67-68-71)
TWAY’S WINNING STATS
Through 72 holes
Driving: 318.7 yards (14th)
Fairways: 51.8% (29/56) (T40)
Greens: 72.2% (52/72) (T18)
Putting: 1.731/90 putts (T22)
Scores: 19 Birdies, 48 Pars, 5 Bogeys
Key Stretch: Tway birdied his final five holes – two in regulation (Nos. 17 and 18) and three in overtime (Nos. 18, 18, and 10) – to win the tournament.
TWAY’S FINAL-ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
The PGA Tour’s video package of Tway’s final day in Napa, California.
VICTORIES
PGA Tour: 1
2018 Safeway Open
Web.com Tour: 1
2013 Albertsons Boise Open
MONEY & PLAYOFF POINTS
With his win in the season opener, Tway earned $1,152,000 and 500 FedExCup points to take the early lead in the points race.
WORLD RANKING
Tway received 28 OWGR points, and will move from No. 136 to No. 85 in the Official World Golf Rankings following this victory.
TROPHY PHOTO
Tway makes his way to the winner’s circle for the first time in his PGA Tour career, after edging Brandt Snedeker and Ryan Moore in a playoff at the Safeway Open.
Golf world congratulates Kevin Tway on first career PGA TOUR win
Credits: Getty Images, PGA Tour Media