Posted June 14, 2021 in "Watts" In The Bag by Tom Brassell
By The Associated Press
RIDGELAND, S.C. (AP) — Garrick Higgo won the Palmetto Championship at Congaree for his first PGA TOUR victory Sunday when leader Chesson Hadley lost a two-shot lead with bogeys on his final three holes.
The 22-year-old South African shot a 3-under 68 and finished at 11 under in his second career PGA TOUR event. Get ready to see more of him. The victory, along with $1,314,000, gives him PGA TOUR status through the 2022-2023 season.
“It’s amazing,” Higgo said. “I just stayed patient all week.”
It was a heartbreaking finish for Hadley, seemingly in control at 13 under with three holes to play. But he drove into a waste area on the 16th and could not get up and down after missing the 17th and 18th greens to give away victory.
“I can only imagine what it looked like on TV because it looked freaking awful from my view,” Hadley said. “I mean, I could barely keep it on the planet.”
Hadley finished with a 75 after opening 65-66-68. He fell into a tie for second at 10 under with Hudson Swafford (66), Doc Redman (67), Jhonattan Vegas (67), Tyrrell Hatton (68) and Bo Van Pelt (68).
After an even par front-nine, Higgo had an eagle on the par-5 12th and birdie on the 14th to get to 11 under — two shots in back of Hadley.
Higgo also saved par from 10 feet away on the 71st hole after missing the fairway with his first two shots.
When Higgo tapped in for par on the 18th, he headed off to wait for a potential playoff. Turns out, he didn’t need the extra reps as Hadley missed a 10-footer for par to fall to give the rising young player his first signature win.
Higgo took off his sunglasses and grinned when told of his victory, then hugged his caddie to celebrate.
Check out “Watts” in Higgo’s bag below.
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (9 degrees) – Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X
3-wood: Titleist TSi2 (15 degrees) – Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X
Hybrid: Titleist TSi3 (18 degrees) – Shaft: Fujikura Atmos Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T100 (4-PW) – Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM8 (50, 56-10S, 60-10S) – Shafts: Project X (52 degrees), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue (56 and 60 degrees)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x (2021)