Kisner wins Dean & DeLuca Invitational

Kevin Kisner would pull out the victory at the Dean & DeLuca Invitational, but not without sweating things out on the final hole at Colonial Country Club. The South Carolina native had a one-stroke edge over defending champion Jordan Spieth, who was watching near the clubhouse after posting a bogey-free five-under 65 to grab the clubhouse lead. Kisner’s then hit his approach into the 441-yard par-4 home hole over the green, leaving a testy up-and-down to stay at 10 under. After the round, Kisner, 33, said had he used a wedge, the ball would have gone one foot. So instead, he pulled the putter instead, and from 18 yards away rolled it just past the hole. Kisner made the comebacker for par for a four-under 66, and the second win of his PGA Tour career.

Kisner won the Dean & DeLuca Invitational at storied Colonial Country Club with a combination of relatively new and tried-and-true equipment. Among the new is the Callaway Epic hybrid, which has had in play for about a month. Kisner has the adjustable hosel on the 18-degree club set 1 degree strong to bring it to 17 degrees.

It was Kisner’s work with a pair of familiar clubs, however, that help lift him to victory. On a difficult driving course, Kisner’s Great Big Bertha driver produced enough yardage 293-yard average) and accuracy (71.4 percent) to be an asset. Kisner’s driver is unusual in that the production model only has one weight in the sliding track, but Kisner’s has two—one in the center rear and one in the heel to promote a draw bias.

Kisner also used his trusty Odyssey White Hot Pro #7 putter to post a 1.361 strokes gained/putting mark, including making a nervy four-footer at the last. The #7 is a style Kisner has used for some time, preferring its forgiveness and alignment features.

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

Driver: Callaway Great Big Bertha (Fujikura Speeder 661 Evolution II), 8.5 degrees