Michael Thorbjornsen made a 26-foot putt for birdie on his last hole to shoot a seven-under 63 and reach 18 under to win his first PGA Tour title by two shots at the final Rocket Classic on Sunday.Â
The 24-year-old American began the fourth round three shots behind leader Davis Riley, whose rough start opened opportunities for the field.
Thorbjornsen took advantage, surging into the lead at the 14th with his third of four birdies in a six-hole stretch and closing with a clutch, curling putt that went in the right side of the cup.
"Perfect pace, perfect read," he said.
He is the eighth first-time winner this season on the PGA Tour and the second straight, following Jackson Koivun's victory last week at the 3M Open.
"It was such a battle, playing with some great players," Thorbjornsen said. "Everyone was in the mix after nine holes."
Xander Schauffele briefly led during the final round and finished second, two shots back. Riley was another stroke behind in third, falling out of the lead with four bogeys.
Rasmus Hojgaard was alone in fourth, four shots back.
Hideki Matsuyama, Matt Wallace and Kristoffer Ventura were another stroke back, tied for fifth.
Thorbjornsen was born in Cleveland, grew up in Massachusetts and attended Stanford. He won the 2018 US Junior Amateur over Akshay Bhatia, who has three PGA Tour wins.
Thorbjornsen chipped in from 35 feet for birdie at the 12th on a day when he accurately aimed for pins that left him with some short birdie putts before his long one on his 72nd hole.
He had a bogey-free round, an accomplishment many other players on the leaderboard were unable to pull off on a day that started with rain and became windy when the clouds cleared.
The eighth and final Rocket Classic also drew its strongest field and biggest crowds.
The PGA Tour is moving to a new model for 2028, effectively creating two tours and Rocket Mortgage decided not to exercise their option to host another tournament next year.
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