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Golf Monthly
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James Nursey

Aaron Rai Wins Maiden PGA Tour Title At Thrilling Wyndham Championship After Max Greyserman Falters On Back Nine

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Aaron Rai produced a superb bogey-free final round 64, including a birdie at the last, to win the Wyndham Championship following Max Greyserman's dramatic collapse.

Both the third and final round at Sedgefield Country Club were completed on a hectic Sunday following a storm delay earlier in the week and, during the final round, it seemed that American Greyserman looked set for the title after holing out from the fairway on the 13th for an eagle two.

Getting to 21-under, the American then went out of bounds off the next tee en-route to a quadruple eight, with Greyserman also four putting the 16th to drop back to 16-under!

In regards to Rai, who was playing in the group in front, he kept his composure and wrapped up the win following a superb approach to six feet at the last as he finished on 18-under. 

Reflecting on his maiden PGA Tour win, the 29-year-old stated: "It is truly a dream come true. It is an amazing achievement. It was amazing to finish off that way on 18. I felt pretty calm and knew the situation and my focus was on trying to put a really good putt on it. I felt a little nervous at times but am pretty proud of staying focused."

In regards to Greyserman, the American said: "It is golf, stuff happens. I will go home and pet my dog and see my wife. I made some blunders but I hopefully it will be my time next time."

The drama wasn't just between the two men as, bizarrely, Matt Kuchar opted to not finish the 72nd hole despite not being in contention. It now means that he will have to come back tomorrow to finish the hole, despite having already teed off. 

Wyndham Championship Leaderboard

-18 Aaron Rai

-16 Max Greyserman 

-15 J.J. Spaun , Ryo Hisatsune

-14 Luke Clanton (A)

Updates from...

GOOD EVENING ALL

Hello all, and welcome to the final round of the Wyndham Championship which, already on Sunday, has provided plenty of drama! So far, we have a mix of players in contention, with Max Greyserman leading the pack at 15-under-par.

He leads the likes of Tour veteran, Matt Kuchar, as well as amateur star, Luke Clanton, who has already fired an eight-under-par round of 62 on Sunday to move into contention. 

Because of the weather delays, it meant both the third and final round are being played today on Sunday, so it should be an enthralling watch later on!

KUCHAR BOGEYS 16th

Matt Kuchar had been leading by two strokes going into the back nine of the third round, but has just bogeyed the par 3 16th to move back to level-par for the day and 12-under for the tournament. He had been 15-under, but three bogeys in five holes has dropped him three back of Max Greyserman.

BIRDIE FOR RAI

Aaron Rai is enjoying yet another good week on the PGA Tour, and has just birdied the par 4 17th to move to 13-under. He is two back of Greyserman and in shape to make yet another push at a first PGA Tour title.

Speaking of Greyserman, he has just found the fairway at the 17th and is in good shape to put another close at the par 4. So far, today, he has made an eagle and two birdies to sit four-under for the round and 15-under for the tournament.

AARON RAI COMES UP SHORT AT 18

Rai is on the 18th and has played his approach which has come up just short of the green and spun back to leave a chip. That is disappointing with 152 yards left. Playing partner Cameron Young has found the green though and has a 16 foot birdie putt to get to -13. Rai ends up dropping a shot and Young makes par.

KUCHAR GOES CLOSE ON 17

Kuchar has just rolled a birdie putt past the hole on the 17th. He needs a win today to get in the FedEx play-offs. He has to settle for par as he heads to the 18th to finish his third round.

SOME PLAYERS LIKE BEN GRIFFIN BACK OUT IN FOURTH ROUND

Griffin is back on the course after a quick turnaround following his third round which is what all the players will have to do today. 

AMATEUR CLANTON DROPS A SHOT

Luke Clanton is back underway in his fourth round and is +1 for his final round after dropping a shot on his fifth hole, which is the 14th as his fourth round has started from the 10th tee. 

Kuchar hits beauty into 18th

Leader Greyserman has found the left rough off the tee on the 18th. But no such problems for playing partner Kuchar who was on the fairway and has put a stunning approach to seven foot on the 488-yard hole.

BRILLIANT PAR SAVE FROM GREYSERMAN ON 18

Greyserman has just drained a fantastic left to right putt from 18 feet with nearly three feet of break to complete a third round 66. He missed the fairway on the left, couldn't reach the green but the leader has made a fantastic up and down on the 18th. That gives him momentum to head to the first tee for the fourth round. 

AMATEUR CLANTON HAS EAGLE LOOK

Clanton, who is in the US Amateur tomorrow, has fired in a two iron from 248 yards to nine feet to tee up an eagle putt on the 15th in the fourth round. Clanton, who started his fourth round on the tenth, could move to one shot off the lead if he nails it. His effort misses as he hit it too hard but he makes a birdie.

KUCHAR RE-FUELLING AFTER HIS THIRD ROUND

Kuchar is just getting some food ahead of his fourth round and he needs a bit of a re-set after dropping three shots on the back nine of his third round today. Kuchar,46, is now still getting dressed on the first tee and this turnaround won't help the ageing veteran, who has made the Play-Offs for the last 17 years in a row.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

CAMERON YOUNG'S WOES WITH PUTTER CONTINUE

Cameron Young has just missed a seven foot birdie putt on the first after spinning in an approach in close. That sums it up for Young who is a great ball striker but is ranked 132nd in the putting stats this season and was 162 in the stats last season.

FIRST PUMP FROM CLANTON ON 16TH

Clanton is looking the real deal with back to back birdies in his fourth round. He started his fourth round on the 10th and continues to make his name after a tied second place finish on the John Deere and a tied 10th in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

GREYSERMAN HITS THE FIRST GREEN AND MAKES ANOTHER PUTT

Greyserman, aged 29, continues to impress after starting the fourth round with an impressive drive and approach to the first. He is sixth in the driving stats and hit another big drive there. And he has holed the birdie putt to stretch his lead.

CLANTON DROPS A SHOT ON THE 17TH

Luke Clanton has dropped a shot on the 17th in the fourth round, after starting on the 10th tee. He found the sand to the left of the green and couldn't get up and down. He looks a brilliant prospect but is yet to have a sand save in this tournament so far.

BRILLIANT TEE SHOT FROM RAI ON THE par 3 THIRD

Rai played a superb eight iron of 163 yards to three feet at the third to tee up a birdie to get to -13.

GREYSERMAN LOOKING COMPOSED IN FOURTH ROUND

Gresyerman opened with a birdie in his fourth round and has just completed a regulation par on the second after lipping out for a three. He remains two ahead.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

GREYSERMAN IS ON FIRE RIGHT NOW

Greyserman will have another look at birdie on the par 3 third after a 164-yard nine iron to nine feet. He is looking very composed and is playing so well. He makes the birdie putt to get to -17 which gives him a two-shot lead. He has then flushed a 303-yard drive down the next.

AARON RAI WITH A SECOND SUCCESSIVE BIRDIE

Rai gets to -14 and is just three shots back after a second successive birdie on the par 4 fourth. 

Mackenzie Hughes holes out from the sand 

Canadian Mackenzie Hughes has just holed out from the sand for birdie to get it to -6 in total. 

RYO HISATSUNE DROPS SLOPPY SHOT

Ah that is a tough one for Rio Hisatune to swallow after he put his tee shot pin high at the par 3 seventh just off the green but then stormed his chip past the hole and missed the putt back.

FIRST UNFORCED ERROR FROM GREYSERMAN

Greyserman has just made his second bogey of the tournament on the fourth with a three putt.  And he now has time to stew on it as there is a backlog on the par 5 fifth.

Ryo Hisatsune is having an eventful round

Ryo Hisatsune has had four birdies and a bogey in his last five holes. He is -15 and just one shot off the lead. 

GREYSERMAN BACK ON TRACK WITH GOOD DRIVE AT FIFTH

Greyserman, fresh from dropping a shot, has just smoked a 340yard drive down the fifth fairway after enduring a considerable wait on the tee. The American pro has then spoken to a rules official about the wait as he is seems unhappy having been forced to have such a quick turnaround between his third and fourth rounds. He is making the point perhaps his group could have had more of a break between rounds.

CLANTON MAKES ANOTHER BIRDIE 

Clanton, who started his fourth round on the 10th tee, has made a superb birdie on the third by putting his tee shot at the par 3 to four foot. He is just two shots off the lead and could post a decent clubhouse total having completed the harder nine already.

THE FIFTH HOLE IS WORTH THE WAIT FOR GREYSERMAN

Greyserman had to endured a long wait on the fifth tee but it hasn't stopped him booming a 340-yard drive and then hitting an 186 yard approach to 18 feet. Kuchar has holed out for birdie to give Greyserman a good look at the line for his eagle putt which he makes. 

RAI KEEPING UP PRESSURE ON GREYSERMAN

Greyserman looks an impressive frontrunner but Rai is going to keep the pressure up. Rai's iron play has looked superb and he has just reeled off his fourth successive birdie on the sixth to get to -16 - two shots off the lead.

GREYSERMAN HITS SEVEN IRON IN CLOSE AT THE SIXTH

More class play from Greyserman there who took the pin on at the sixth to a back flag. His effort from 188 yards finishes six feet away before he rolls in another birdie. Greyserman will be hard to catch on this form. He is -4 for six holes in the final round.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

GREYSERMAN FINDS PAR 3 SEVENTH GREEN

Greyserman is on the seventh green with a 211-yard tee shot as he continues to impress. Kuchar, playing alongside him, is in trouble right of the green where he has taken a penalty drop and chipped up to have a bogey putt. Meanwhile Greyserman has putted up from 35 feet to two feet as he stays -4 through seven holes to lead by three.

GREYSERMAN FLIRTS WITH WATER ON EIGHT

Greyserman took an iron off the tee on eight but has only just avoided the water at the par four. That is a lucky break for the American who makes the most of it as he finds the green , albeit 52 feet away. But he still nearly holes it as he leaves his putt dead weight. 

CLANTON WITH A BIRDIE LOOK AT THE SIXTH

Clanton, who started his fourth round on the 10th tee, has put a seven iron to six feet on the sixth. He has a putt to get to within three shots and can post a clubhouse total. He converts and fist pumps. 

GREYSERMAN FINDS NINTH GREEN

Gresyerman finds the ninth green in regulation and has hit every green so far in this fourth round. The leader is going to take some stopping as he records another par. 

RAI KEEPING UP THE PRESSURE

Rai is up there in stats on the PGA Tour in driving accuracy and strokes gained. He has stuck his approach close again on the 10th from 135 yards but he misses from four feet. 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

GREYSERMAN FINDS 10TH GREEN IN REGULATION

Greyserman, who turned pro in 2017, is making just his 23rd PGA Tour start but is playing like a veteran with his mature decision making. He has a three-shot lead and has found the tenth green, leaving a 30-foot putt. He again putts up dead as his superb distance control continues.

CLANTON'S HOPES HIT BY A THREE-PUTT

Luke Clanton has had a fine round but the amateur has just missed a two-foot par putt on his penultimate hole. That takes him to -2 for the day and -15 in total. Can't see him winning now but that is still another impressive showing from the wannabe pro. 

GREYSERMAN IN BATTLE TO MAKE PAR ON 11

Greyserman drove into the rough on the 11th and his approach to the par four has come up short. He has chipped up and now has a 10 foot par putt.

CLANTON PUTTS OUT FOR A -1 69

Amateur Luke Clanton has finished bogey bogey for a -1 round and a -14 total which leaves him currently fifth. With two holes to go he might have won with a big finish but he won't have time to dwell on that as he is competing again tomorrow in the US Amateur. 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

LEADER GREYSERMAN ON THE PAR 3 12TH 

Greyserman has hit the 12th green and has a 35-foot birdie putt which he again puts very close for another stress free par.

RAI CONTINUES TO FIRE IN DARTS ON THE 13TH

Rai is having a fine season and has fired in another superb approach to seven feet from 129 yards for a birdie look at 13 but , despite taking his time on the putt, he misses on the right edge. 

CLANTON REFLECTS ON HIS LATEST IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY

Clanton reflected: "It is awesome being out here, playing on the PGA Tour is pretty sweet. I played really well this week and it is a confidence builder for me knowing I can compete out here. I am 20 years old, I am still an amateur I want to keep learning and keep joining up the dots."

OUTRAGEOUS SHOT FROM GREYSERMAN TO SURELY CLINCH IT

Oh my, that has to be a tournament winning shot from Greyserman right there. He has spun a wedge back and holed out for an eagle on the par 4 13th for a two from 91 yards. It gets him to -21. It is his second eagle of the round and surely his name is on the trophy with a four-shot lead with five holes to play.

DRAMA ON THE 14TH HOLE AS GREYSERMAN FOLLOWS HIS EAGLE BY GOING OUT OF BOUNDS

What a twist, fresh from an incredible eagle on the 13th, Greyserman's drive at the 14th has bounced out of bounds after a huge leap off the cart path. He has taken three off the tee and is in the left hand rough. He will do well to make a 6 here on the par 4.

GREYSERMAN IS UNRAVELLING HERE ON 14TH

Greyserman is going to run up a big number here on the 14th. Having gone out of bounds, he has opted to lay up out of the rough on the left with his second ball but has chopped out 114 yards by mistake into a bunker. He is playing his fifth at the par 4 and has 74 yards. He has now splashed out just short of the green. 

GREYSERMAN NOW NEEDS TO GET UP AND DOWN FOR A SEVEN

Greyserman's bunker shot has come up short on the 14th with his fifth shot at 14th and has chipped up to 10 feet which he needs for a triple bogey seven. He misses and has taken a quadruple bogey eight. Extraordinary stuff following his eagle at the 13th.

CO LEADER RAI ON PAR 5 15TH UP AHEAD CHASING BIRDIE

Rai now finds himself co-leader but was unable to go for the par 5 15th in two after finding the left rough. He has chopped out to leave 143 yards to the hole from where his approach only finds the fringe. It will be a par for Rai but that is a missed opportunity. Does no one want to win this!?

GREYSERMAN RESPONDS ON 15TH WITH A BIG DRIVE

Greyserman, fresh from his astonishing snowman on the last, has hit a big 314 yard drive up the par 5 15th to give him a chance to get on the green in two which he achieves with a 4 iron from 228 yards. He has two putts to regain the lead. 

RAI PUTS HIS TEE SHOT AT PAR 3 16TH IN CLOSE 

We have a two-horse race here it seems with Rai in close at the par 3 16th. He has an 11-foot birdie putt which he over hits and gets a par. While behind on the 15th green, Greyserman has an eagle putt which comes up short but he makes birdie.  

LEADER GREYSERMAN FINDS THE PAR 3 16TH GREEN

Greyserman has a one-shot lead and has found the 16th green off the tee but he is 41 feet from the flag. While up ahead Rai has hit his approach at the 17th to 14-feet and playing partner Billy Horschel is on a similar line to putt first which is a good break.

MORE PAIN FOR GREYSERMAN WHO FOUR PUTTS 16th

Greyserman has just missed a short par putt on the 16th and then the next one after his initial effort lipped out. This is a nightmare for the American who is blowing up.

RAI IS ON THE 18TH TEE WITH A ONE SHOT LEAD

Greyserman's four-putt on the 16th green has just handed Rai a one-shot lead on the 18th tee. Greyserman's remarkable collapse means he is back to -1 despite two eagles in his round, including a hole out from the fairway on the 13th. Rai however is -5 for his round and could get his maiden win now. 

GREYSERMAN HAS A BIRDIE PUTT ON THE 17TH

Greyserman has given himself a birdie look at the penultimate hole from 18 feet but fails to convert. While Rai has teed off on the par 4 last and drilled it straight down the middle. Advantage Rai. 

RAI DRILLS A SUPERB SHOT INTO 72ND HOLE

Fantastic approach to the 72nd hole by Rai with a six iron there from 200 yards. Rai's shot finishes seven feet away to leave him a likely putt for the title and the $1,422,000 first prize. 

RAI HAS A BIRDIE PUTT TO GET TO -18

Rai has a six foot seven inch birdie putt after a superb iron shot from 200 yards. If he holes out and Greyserman fails to get a two in the group behind, the Brit will win.

RAI BIRDIES THE LAST

Rai rolls in his birdie putt on 18 for a bogey free final round of 64. He will be crowned champion here if Greyserman in the group below fails to eagle the par four.

RAI IS THE CHAMPION!

Rai wins it after Greyserman's approach to the 18th finds the sand. Rai's bogey-free 64, including a birdie at the last, has completed a memorable win after Greyserman's remarkable collapse following his eagle two on the par 4 13th. 

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