Matthew Wolff and his swing coach George Gankas have dubbed themselves “disruptors” thanks to Wolff’s unusual swing that could change the future of golf. It took the 20-year-old from Simi Valley, California, just four US PGA Tour starts to make his presence felt in stunning fashion.
Back in the 18th fairway, Wolff found out what needed to be done to win late today at the 3M Open. Bryson DeChambeau had just rolled in an eagle putt on the 72nd green to reach 20-under, one clear of Wolff and playing partner Collin Morikawa, who were tied at 19-under. Birdie for a playoff, eagle to win. Wolff took aim at the flag, missed just left of it and saw his ball roll into the fringe, leaving him with a 26-footer for eagle. He buried it to go one up on DeChambeau, who watched in disbelief. Morikawa’s eagle putt missed, giving Wolff his first PGA Tour title.
https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1147992294122876928
“I just proved to myself that I can be out here. I knew I could, and as soon as I got to Oklahoma State [University] my coaches told me that I was a talent that they’d never seen before,” Wolff said. “And I think this week I just really believed in myself. It’s still settling in.”
In Wolff’s three prior PGA Tour starts – a sponsor’s exemption as an amateur in February at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and his first two professional starts these past two weeks at the Travelers Championship and Rocket Mortgage Classic – he went T-50, T-80 and missed the cut.
With the win, Wolff now has a two-year exemption on tour, and will be in the 2020 Masters, Players Championship and PGA Championship.
Morikawa’s time will have to wait, though it’s unlikely it will take that much longer for him to join Wolff in the winner’s circle. His birdie at the last put him in a tie for second with DeChambeau, who has now finished in the top 10 in consecutive starts.
