[PHOTO: Sean M. Haffey]
South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout’s 11-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole was not for a win, but given the circumstances, it paid off like one. The winner was an amateur, Nick Dunlap, allowing Bezuidenhout, the runner-up, to collect first-place prizemoney of $US1.512 million.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout: I’ve overcome some adversity to get here
Bezuidenhout, who has five international victories, but none on the PGA Tour, was playing just in front of Dunlap and trailed by two until he holed the birdie putt at 18 on the Stadium course at PGA West in La Quinta, California.
Clutch birdie on 18 by @CBezGolf.
He's one shot back and puts the pressure on leader Nick Dunlap. pic.twitter.com/GaKyNQeGXM
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 21, 2024
The putt ensured that first-place money was his no matter what Dunlap did on 18, but when the University of Alabama sophomore got up-and-down for par and a one-stroke victory, Bezuidenhout settled for his second runner-up finish in 76 career PGA Tour starts. He shot a final-round 65 for a 72-hole score of 28-under 260.
