Nov. 12, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. -- Former Auburn SEC Champion Patton Kizzire picked up his first career win on the PGA Tour at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, holding off Rickie Fowler over the final 36 holes on Sunday to win with a final score of 19-under 265.
Kizzire started the tournament off with a bang, sinking 10 birdies in a career-low 9-under 62 opening round. Following a 1-under 70 in the second round, which was suspended multiple times due to inclement weather, the 2008 graduate found himself in a three-way tie for the lead with Fowler and Patrick Rodgers at 10-under.
Another weather delay pushed the third round to Sunday where the field played the final 36 holes. Kizzire carded a 5-under 66 in the third round to take a one stroke lead over Fowler to the final round.
Kizzire jumped out to a fast start on the final 18, making the turn at 18-under, three shots better than Fowler. The 2015 Web.com Tour Player of the Year held the 3-stroke lead into the final three holes, however Fowler sunk back-to-back birdies on the 16th and 17th to cut the lead to one heading to the 18th.
On the 18th, Kizzire made a 25-foot approach before rolling the birdie attempt just short of the hole, setting up the easy par. Fowler failed to convert the birdie and Kizzire tapped in for par to claim the trophy.
With the win, Kizzire earned his first trip to the Masters in Augusta, Ga. next April and also earned a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.
Kizzire picked up 500 FedEx Cup points with the win and now leads the FedEx Cup standings with 649 points through four events played. He entered the event ranked 30th.
Kizzire now has a trio of top-10 finishes through four events this season. After missing the cut at the season-opening Safeway Open, he tied for 10th at the Sanderson Farms Championship and t-4th at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.