Canadian Nick Taylor wins Phoenix Open with birdie on 2nd hole of playoff with Charley Hoffman
CTV
Nick Taylor rallied from three down with four holes left in regulation and made an 11-foot birdie putt to beat Hoffman on the second hole of a playoff Sunday, capping another wild week at the Phoenix Open.
Nick Taylor had an emotional victory last year in the Canadian Open, capped by an unforgettable tackle.
The 35-year-old Canadian made more memories at the Phoenix Open with a massive rally to take down Charley Hoffman.
Taylor rallied from three down with four holes left in regulation and made an 11-foot birdie putt to beat Hoffman on the second hole of a playoff Sunday, capping another wild week at the Phoenix Open.
"The finish was pretty dreamlike and hitting all those putts was a lot of fun," Taylor said. "The atmosphere was incredible all week."
Taylor fed off it late in his round after labouring through ideal scoring conditions most of the afternoon. He found the rhythm at just the right time, closing a 6-under 65 with a 9-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th to force the playoff. He and the 47-year-old Hoffman finished at 21-under 263.
Both players birdied the extra hole and hit the green on No. 18 a second time -- Taylor from the right rough, Hoffman from the left fairway bunker. Hoffman left his putt short and Taylor birdied the hole for the third time in less than an hour as the sun dipped below the horizon.
"I didn't really falter, so I've got to give Nick credit," said Hoffman, who hasn't won on tour since 2016 and has dealt with back issues in recent years. "He birdied four of the last five holes he played. Hats off to him for doing that. "
