Jason Kokrak picked up his second career PGA Tour win yesterday when he won the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Forth Worth, Texas. The victory marks Kokrak’s second in less than a year, which is remarkable considering it took him over nine years on tour to secure his first. His first and only PGA Tour win prior to yesterday came last October, when the now 36 year-old won the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas.
Kokrak was in the mix from start to finish, as was Jordan Spieth. He found himself two shots behind a first place Spieth at the end of day one, one shot behind at the end of day two and tied at the end of day three. Days three and four truly felt like a duel between Kokrak and Spieth, which made for a highly entertaining tournament.
All told, Spieth failed to overcome some early adversity and ended up shooting three over on the final day. For Kokrak, he too posted a couple early bogeys before securing birdies on the fifth, sixth and eighth holes, which are generally considered quite difficult.
Jason Kokrak was also highly efficient at driving the ball this past weekend. He routinely found fairways and turned them into very impressive birdies at 11 and 13, which proved crucial. A 17 footer on the 13th hole was likely the highlight of the day, as Kokrak took a two shot lead off a beautiful putt from the edge of the green. The last two birdies would prove crucial, as bogeys on 15 and 16 threatened the lead. Spieth was unable to gain ground, however, and Kokrak emerged victorious.
Spieth was looking for his second win this season in his native Texas, which is something Kokrak spoke to in his post-tournament interview. “They were definitely rooting for uh, the guy next to me. Jordan,” Kokrak said. “I mean we kind of (had) a little bit of an ebb-and-flow, both didn’t have our A-games today…. But still got the win and I’m happy to be standing here with you on the 18th green.”
Jason Kokrak walked away with $1,350,000 at the end of the day. He was also the recipient of a vintage car; a fully restored 1943 Dodge Power Wagon which was awarded to the winner.
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