Berger wins Charles Schwab Challenge in Playoff

By Diamond Dave

There were 14 golfers within three shots of the lead when play began in the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge Sunday, so it was only fitting that it went to a playoff. But in the end, one man emerged, Daniel Berger.

Berger birdied the 18th hole to get to 15-under and Collin Morikawa joined him to force a playoff. In the first hole of the sudden death playoff, Berger made par and Morikawa’s three-foot par putt lipped out to give Berger the win.

“It’s a range of emotions,” Berger said after the match. “I’ve grinded so hard the last two months to be in this position and I’m just so thankful … the hard work paid off … It’s the greatest feeling in the world."

It was Berger’s third career PGA Tour win.

Several golfers had chances to join Berger and Morikawa in the playoff but faltered down the stretch. Bryson DeChambeau bogeyed 17 on a long approach shot and bad chip while Justin Rose just barely missed a putt on 18 that would have put him in the playoff. Jason Kokrak posted the round of the day, a 64, but he fell short too. All three finished in a tie for third at 14-under.

Then there is the third-round leader, Xander Schauffele. He was in control until he put a ball in the water at 15, then bogeyed 17. But it was a lip out on a birdie putt on 18 that end his day at 14-under.

“It was kind of hectic, the finish, the Horseshoe (holes 3, 4, and 5), the putt on 18 that lipped out—that kind of summed up my week,” Schauffele said in the post match interview. He said that playing without fans “was definitely weird. It’s always an internal battle for me, but more so this week with no fans.”

Bubba Watson, who had a 65, was 13-under, as was Patrick Reed. Gary Woodland finished 12-under.

Next up is the RBC Heritage at the Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, S.C. The tournament runs from June 18-21.