Kokrak's Come-From-Behind Victory "I'm Also an Early Bird"... Im Sung-jae Ties for 19th Place

PGA Tour 2021/2022 Season Round 8 Hewlett Packard Houston Open Final Day 5-Under Par '2-Stroke Victory', Scheffler 2nd Place

Jason Kokrak is holding the trophy and posing for a commemorative photo immediately after winning the Hewlett Packard Houston Open. Houston, USA = Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "I am also an early bird."

It is a come-from-behind victory for the power hitter Jason Kokrak (USA). On the 15th (Korean time), at the Memorial Park in Houston, Texas (Par 71, 7,021 yards), during the final day of the 8th event of the 2021/2022 PGA Tour season, the Hewlett Packard Houston Open (total prize money $7.5 million), he shot 5 under par to secure a 2-stroke victory (10 under par, 270 strokes). This is his third career win in six months since the Charles Schwab Challenge in May, with a winner's prize of $1.35 million (1.59 billion KRW).

Kokrak is a player who succeeded on his 233rd attempt out of 232 tries by winning The CJ Cup last October, which was part of the 2020/2021 season. Born in Ontario, Canada, and residing in the United States, he became the Ohio Amateur Champion in 2006-2007, progressed through the Korn Ferry Tour (2nd tier) in 2011, and entered the PGA Tour in 2012, making this victory come after a long 8 years. At the Charles Schwab Challenge, he especially drew more spotlight by fending off the chase from Jordan Spieth (USA).

Starting the day tied for 7th place, 2 strokes behind, he combined 6 birdies and 1 bogey. He opened the scoring early with consecutive birdies on holes 3 and 4, and although he had the only bogey on the 6th hole (par 4), he seized the victory with four consecutive birdies from holes 13 to 16 in the back nine. With a maximum drive of 329 yards, his putting was especially effective, including a 3.8m birdie putt on the 13th hole (par 4) and a 7m birdie on the 14th hole (par 4). Kokrak himself cheered, "My putting was really good this week."

On the other hand, 3rd round leader Scottie Scheffler faltered with shaky iron shots, finishing 1 under par and dropping to a tie for 2nd place (8 under par, 208 strokes). Kevin Tway joined him in a tie for 2nd, and Kramer Hickok (both USA) took 4th place (7 under par, 203 strokes). Matthew Wolff (USA), known for his "twist swing," lost 2 strokes and ended tied for 11th place (4 under par, 276 strokes). Im Sung-jae (23), the "Shriners Champion," remained tied for 19th place (2 under par, 278 strokes).

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