Kizzire Triumphs after Marathon Playoff at the Sony Open

The final round of the Sony Open started a little earlier than first scheduled because of a walk out by several golf channel television and audio technicians. The tee times were moved up so that the tournament would be concluded prior to the original 10pm end time. In my opinion this was done as a last ditch effort of the tour to keep as many remaining technicians and employees on the course as possible.

As the Golf season begins to pick up steam, including three televised tournaments next week, time and hope seem to be running out for a solution to the labor dispute between Golf Channel and its employees. As coverage begins it is announced that there would be limited coverage of featured groups and holes in the final round following the walk out.

Patton Kizzire of the United States poses with the trophy after…

Patton Kizzire of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the Sony Open In Hawaii on the sixth playoff hole against James Hahn at Waialae Country Club on January 14, 2018 in Honolulu,… Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

Jordan Spieth starts to put together a hot round as he makes his way to 4 under par for his round. However, as soon as it starts it is over. Spieth once again continued to struggle with the putter. Jordan backed off of several putts on numerous occasions. He looked lost and confused with the putter in his hand and was never able to start the ball on the lines that he wanted. Surely, Spieth will be spending many hours on the putting green to attempt to find the answer to his putting woes.

Justin Thomas can relate as he has been playing good consistent golf all week. The only thing lacking in his game was the flat stick. He was hitting good putts and his distance control was not the problem either. Sometimes the ball just does not drop. That was the week that Thomas had. With two weeks off the defending Fed Ex Cup Champion will look to regroup and search for the solution.

Brian Harmon was a different story as he lacked consistency with the putter all day. Difficulties with the putter led to a double on the par 4 6^th. He seemed to have found something as he poured in a 25 plus footer for eagle on nine but that was short lived. It took Harmon four shots to find the putting surface on the 16^th after hitting his approach shot in the bunker then leaving his third in that same bunker. He was able to salvage a 5 and get out with a bogey. At this point the frustration of the day left him looking drained and defeated.

Best shots from all 6 playoff holes at the Sony Open

SUBSCRIBE to PGA TOUR now: http://pgat.us/vBxcZSh Patton Kizzire and James Hahn were tied after regulation, so they went to a tournament record-breaking 6 playoff holes before Kizzire reigned victorious. Check out all the highlights from this epic playoff at Wailae Country Club. The Sony Open in Hawaii is contested at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu on Oahu.

Patton Kizzire started his day with 8 straight pars. When he made the turn he quickly ended that trend when he made eagle on 10 with a chip in that gave him a share of the lead, at the time, with Tom Hoge. Kizzire followed that up with a birdie on the par 3 11^th that he walked in with authority. He kept pace with Hoge through 12 until he failed to save par out of the bunker on 13, giving Hoge the solo lead right back. Kizzire reclaimed the lead after the nerves get to Hoge as he leaves his third shot in the bunker at 16 that would result in a double bogey 6.

James Hahn had the low round of the week as he shot a 8 under 62, including a stretch of five straight birdies. As Hoge and Kizzire go down the 18^th, Kizzire is tied as Hoge is in the hunt and needs a birdie for any hope of joining the playoff. They both make par 5s on 18. After 4 rounds of play at the Sony Open James Hahn and Patton Kizzire find themselves at 17 under and extra holes will be needed to decide a winner.

For his second win of this young 2018 season Patton Kizzire takes the Sony Open after six playoff holes. James Hahn did not go out without a fight as he and Kizzire continuously responded to each other, matching putt for putt, throughout the playoff. A par was all it needed after Hahn missed the green long and left with his 7 iron tee shot. Hahn lipped out to open the door for Kizzire to claim the victory after 6 extra holes and a very long day in paradise.

Cover Image via YouTube