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Sunday changed into as soon as one other story of what could perhaps well had been for Will Zalatoris.
The 25-year-current done one stroke in the support of Matt Fitzpatrick at the 2022 U.S. Originate at The Nation Membership in Brookline, Massachusetts. He correct uncared for a 14-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that could perhaps well have compelled a playoff, which meant a third 2nd-receive earn in 9 most predominant begins.
“This one, in explicit, hurts somewhat now not easy,” he suggested newshounds. “I am three shots a long way from practically being a—having of project of being a three-time most predominant champion. A jump right here or there.”
Zalatoris done in 2nd receive in the 2021 Masters and 2nd receive on this year’s PGA Championship with the latter coming after he fell short in a playoff in opposition to Justin Thomas. He has six high-10 finishes in those 9 most predominant begins nevertheless is yet to preserve cease a PGA Tour tournament.
Fitzpatrick found himself in a identical tell with a resume that included zero wins nevertheless 22 high-10s and so much of 2nd-receive finishes in 105 tour occasions.
That changed Sunday, nonetheless it appeared as if Scottie Scheffler would take dangle of home the title when he jumped out to a lead with four birdies on the first six holes of the rest round. Vibrant when it looked like he could perhaps well recede away with it, he bogeyed Nos. 10 and 11 and did now not notch one other birdie except the 17th.
It changed into as soon as fragment of a support-and-forth day with Zalatoris posting bogeys on two of his first three holes excellent to jump support with four birdies in a six-hole stretch from Nos. 6 via 11 to take dangle of the lead.
Fitzpatrick took an reverse near with a red-sizzling originate of birdies on Nos. 3, 5 and eight nevertheless support-to-support bogeys on Nos. 10 and 11.
The excellent swing came on the 15th when Fitzpatrick birdied following an outstanding near shot and Zalatoris ended up with a bogey. The eventual runner-up dialed up the stress one extra time with a birdie on the 16th to pull within one stroke, nevertheless Fitzpatrick unleashed the shot of the tournament on the 18th when he found the green on his 2nd despite hitting his drive in the fairway bunker.
Fitzpatrick hit 17 of 18 greens in Sunday’s remaining round nevertheless serene wanted Zalatoris to omit his birdie putt on 18 to procure the championship.
“I am now not gay with finishing 2nd,” Zalatoris said. “I am obviously making an attempt to receive it. The comfort stage is there, particularly now that I do know I will earn this. I correct have to serve ready my flip.”
His flip nearly came Sunday.
