NAPLES, Fla. – Sahith Theegala made a 15-foot birdie putt on Sunday’s final hole as he and Tom Hoge closed on a four-under 10-under 62 and became the first rookie team to win the QBE Shootout in 11 years.
Ryan Palmer and Charlie Hoffman each missed birdies from 12 feet at Tiburon Golf Club to force the tiebreaker. They had 65.
Tegala was coming off a strong rookie PGA Tour season in which he reached the Tour Championship and twice went to the final hole of the tournament to win.
He said the QBE Shootout is an unofficial event, but it’s still nice to win.
“It’s tough out here so it’s good to get a taste of victory,” Tegala said.
Hoge Tegala, who won his first PGA Tour title at Pebble Beach in February, already carried a lot of the burden when he pulled a muscle on the left side of the first hole. By the end of the day, Tegala said he felt better and was able to swing more.
They still had to contend with Palmer and Hoffman, especially at the end. Palmer’s chip on the par-5 17th hole didn’t make it up the hill and bounced back to him. He quickly got up for the next shot and went into the cup for an unlikely birdie that gave his team a share of the lead.
Harris English and Matt Kuchar finished 2 shots behind 62 as they attempted to win the QBE Shootout for the fourth time.
Max Homma and Kevin Kisner tied for fourth with 63s.
The top LPGA Tour player was Nellie Korda, who tied for fifth with Denny McCarthy at 62.
