Patrick Cantlay secured his second PGA Tour title in style, producing a sparkling 64 on Sunday to win the Memorial Tournament by two shots.
Cantlay came into the final round four strokes behind overnight leader Martin Kaymer but five birdies on the front nine closed that gap to two as he reached the turn.
And three more gains on the back nine saw him finish the tournament on 19 under par to claim his first victory since November 2017 and earn a handshake from tournament host and 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus.
Australian Adam Scott finished alone in second on 17 under after a late charge, comprising birdies at the 14th, 15th and 16th, saw him sign for a closing 68.
Former European Ryder Cup star Kaymer was two shots further back in third after three back-nine bogeys derailed his challenge in Ohio.
In an interview shown on the PGA Tour’s website, Cantlay said: “It feels great.
“It’s been a while since I’ve won and being able to win on this golf course – a golf course I really like – in front of Jack, making that putt on the last hole, I can’t tell you how good it feels.”
Cantlay followed up early birdies at the second and fifth with three in a row from the seventh for a front nine of 31.
When German Kaymer – playing in the final group – dropped his first shot of the day on the ninth, Cantlay was just one behind, and he tapped in his birdie putt at the long 11th to grab a share of the lead.
Cantlay continued to create plenty of chances going down the stretch, narrowly missing his 10-foot birdie putt on the 12th before firing back-to-back birdies from the 14th, having come agonisingly close to holing his enormous eagle effort at the 15th.
He curled in his eight-foot par putt on the 18th green to keep his card clean and close out a stunning victory.
Masters champion Tiger Woods finished the week with a 67 to claim a share of ninth place on nine under.
Provided by Press Association Sport
