Golf-Underdogs take a bite out of experienced field at PGA Championship

Korn Ferry

22/05/2022 03:07

TULSA, Oklahoma, May 21 (Reuters) - The PGA Championship's
underdogs had plenty of bite heading into Sunday's final round
in Tulsa, with none of the top four having ever won a PGA Tour
event - let alone a major title.
    Miserable conditions thrashed former major winners at
Southern Hills Country Club but saw Chilean Mito Pereira, who
missed the cut in his only prior major appearance at the 2019
U.S. Open, climb into the top spot after carding a one-under 69.
    "It's by far the biggest tournament I played, the biggest
round of golf and tomorrow is going to be even bigger," said
Pereira, who withdrew from the Zurich Classic last month.
    Sitting three strokes behind him were Briton Matt
Fitzpatrick (67), who has collected seven wins on the DP Tour
but never cracked the PGA circuit, and American Will Zalatoris.
    Zalatoris (73) claimed his sole professional win on the Korn
Ferry Tour in 2020, though his shock second-place finish at
Augusta last year earned him a spot among golf's beloved dark
horses.
    "Just stick to my game," he said. "Got nothing to lose
tomorrow. I know I'm playing some really good golf, and
hopefully at the end of the day it adds up to the lower score."
    Rounding out the surprise cohort was American Cameron Young
(67), who is four strokes back from the lead after finishing
tied for third at RBC Heritage in April and second at the Wells
Fargo Championship earlier this month.
    With past major winners Stewart Cink, Justin Thomas and
Bubba Watson each seven strokes back headed into Sunday, there's
still a chance for a veteran to sneak his way into a win. 
    But Collin Morikawa's win on his first try at the PGA
Championship two years ago continues to inspire.
    "That's just how it is. If you play really good golf during
the week, you're going to win," said Pereira. "Doesn't matter
your first time or your 10th time, if you play really, really
well you're, going to have chances."

 (Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
 ((Amy.Tennery@thomsonreuters.com; 917-361-8594;))