Ben Kohles makes complete hash of 18 to hand Taylor Pendrith first PGA Tour title
Taylor Pendrith becomes the first Canadian to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson as Ben Kohles throws it all away on 72nd hole.
Ben Kohles made the only bogey of the day on the par-5 18th to hand Taylor Pendrith his maiden PGA Tour title at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
In one of the most dramatic finishes of the season thus far, Kohles, who was also seeking a first PGA Tour title, led by one shot standing on the 18th tee in the final group of the day alongside Pendrith.
Kohles had just clawed himself into the lead for the first time all week following back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17.
But then it all went Pete Tong.
After coming up short in two shots on the 18th, Kohles duffed his chip shot in the rough and then proceeded to miss a five-footer for par.
It was the only bogey of the day on 18.
The door was then left open for Pendrith to tap home for birdie from inside of three feet to capture his maiden PGA Tour title.
Here's where it all wrong for Kohles:
Here's the winning moment for Pendrith:
Pendrith, 32, is the first Canadian to win the famous Byron Nelson tournament.
The win sees Pendrith land a cheque for $1.7m and qualifies him for the US PGA Championship in two weeks' time.
He also now qualifies for the remaining signature events of the 2024 PGA Tour season, as well as the 2025 Players Championship and 2025 Masters.
It also secures his playing privileges on the PGA Tour through to the end of the 2026 season.
Pendrith said:
"I feel for Ben making bogey, he played so well today, but I'm super thrilled, it's amazing, I'm shaking."
After taking some time to dust himself down, Kohles, to his credit, did speak with reporters about his tough finish on 18.
The 34-year-old American admits he is going to try take the positives after achieving his best-ever finish on the PGA Tour.
Kohles told a pool of reporters:
"Yeah, I mean, it was actually -- yeah, it was sitting up a little bit, but honestly hadn't seen any rough like that all week.
"I just didn't hit a great shot. Just needed a little bit more umph on it. I kind of maybe deceled a little bit, but you live and you learn.
"Did so many good things this week, and I'm just going to keep reminding myself of that and try to get myself back in this position."
Elsewhere, Sweden's Alex Noren surged late with a 65 to take solo third on 21-under par, one shot ahead of English duo Aaron Rai and Matt Wallace and South Korean pair Ben An and SH Kim.
Jake Knapp was also in the final group of the day with Pendrith and Kohles, but the rising American star had a Sunday to forget with a 70 and he finished in solo eighth on 19-under par.
The CJ Cup Byron Nelson Final Leaderboard
-23 T Pendrith
-22 B Kohles
-21 A Noren
-20 A Rai, M Wallace, B An, SH Kim
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