On Fire! Snedeker Grabs First Win of 2013 at AT&T Pebble Beach National

Photo by @pga_tour

Simply put, Brandt Snedeker, is playing the best golf of his life.

After finishing runner-up to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in each of the last two weeks, Snedeker finally snagged the top spot Sunday with a record performance, seven-under-par 65, for a two-shot victory over Chris Kirk.  Snedeker holed a 10-foot birdie on 17th, bumping him to 19 under, and sealing the deal on the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

“Feels great to finish one,” Brandt said after finishing his round. “The last two weeks…playing great but running into two Hall of Famers, really motivated me to go out and prove that I can handle the lead.”

In five starts this year, Brandt has one win, a pair of seconds and one third place finish under his belt.  Sneds never stood much of a chance catching the dominant performances of Woods at Torrey Pines or Mickelson in Arizona, but he certainly wasn’t letting the AT&T Pebble Beach National slip away from his grasp.

After taking control with an eagle and three birdies on the opening seven holes, Snedeker responded to his only bogey, a three-putt at No. 9, by rolling in birdie putts on the next two holes.

It’s been an amazing ride over the last six months for Snedeker — winning the Tour Championship to capture the FedEx Cup title and its $10-million prize, making his first Ryder Cup team, and a now kicking off the 2013 season with a fantastic start.

The win bumps Snedeker to No. 4 in the world, the highest ranking of his career and second only to Woods among Americans.

“Kind of crazy to think what’s happened,” said the ever-humble Snedeker, as the 32 year-old prepares to head to Maui for a well-deserved vacation before hitting a tournament stretch to take him to the Masters, where early predictions already have him favored to in the finish top 5.

We normally don’t predict FedEx Cup Champions in February, but if Brandt Snedeker stays this hot we could possibly see the first back-to-back repeat title winner in PGA TOUR history.

(Cover Photo Credit)