Kevin Kisner’s incredible chip-in eagle delays Cameron Smith’s first PGA Tour victory: video
Cameron Smith and playing partner Jonas Blixt have been left stunned after an incredible eagle chip-in from Kevin Kisner.
Australian Cameron Smith and Sweden’s Jonas Blixt looked set for victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event at TPC Louisiana after Smith pitched his golf ball to two-feet on the final hole. With birdie all but assured only a chip-in from Kevin Kisner could deny them the winner’s trophy.
And then Kisner did this.
A playoff awaits at the @Zurich_Classic.
The dramatic way we got there is unbelievable.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/9TzRBr4iWV
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 1, 2017
Kisner’s incredible eagle left Smith and Blixt stunned.
Smith rolled in his birdie which meant the American pairing of Kisner and Scott Brown tied with Smith and Blixt at 27-under par. But with a six-hour delay due to storms earlier in the day, darkness had descended in New Orleans forcing the sudden-death playoff to be played tomorrow.
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is the first official team event on the PGA Tour since 1981 and the stakes are high for a victory. Both winning players will receive 400 FedExCup points, a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and invitations to tournaments like the US PGA Championship.
Smith and Blixt took a four-shot lead into the final day but Kevin Kisner and Scott Brown raced into the lead and were 10-under the card through 11 holes. Smith and Blixt made birdies at the 10th, 11th and 12th holes to find themselves stay within a shot of the Americans.
.@CamSmithGolf and Jonas Blixt pull within a shot of the lead.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/DCSwa3at67
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 30, 2017
With the American surge stalling with a string of pars in the final round four-ball format, Smith and Blixt took the lead with consecutive birdies through 16 and 17 and looked set for victory after Smith’s magnificent pitch shot from the rough at the final hole.
The sudden-death playoff (in fourball format) will begin at the 18th hole tomorrow…
Smith/Blixt take a 1-shot lead into the final hole.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/Aq9y26gPza
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 1, 2017