Si Woo Kim outlasts Patrick Cantlay, takes title at 62nd American Express
Si Woo Kim has done it in the desert.
Kim, ranked 96th in the OWGR, outlasted Patrick Cantlay to win the American Express at 23-under par.
The 25-year-old Korean shot a final round 64, highlighted by a huge birdie on 17 which gave him a one-shot lead over Cantlay.
Kim was able to escape Alcatraz, the famed par-3, 17th hole with an island green by making one of the most memorable putts of his career.
Kim went on to make par on the par 4, 18th and win for the 3rd time on the PGA TOUR. However, this win did not come easy.
So-Cal native Patrick Cantlay was one of the favorites this week in the desert. And he delivered.
Cantlay fired a record 61 Sunday on the Stadium Course at PGA WEST. The former UCLA Bruin had 11 birdies and no bogeys, resulting in his 2nd best performance of his career.
Kim gets his first win on Tour since 2017, when he became the youngest player to win THE PLAYERS Championship.
Kim played his three rounds on the PGA WEST Pete Dye Stadium Course bogey-free. He won $1,206,000 (of the event's $6.7 million purse) and 500 FedExCup points. He moves to No. 9 in the 2020-21 PGA TOUR FedExCup standings.
Cantlay was the highest-ranked player in The American Express field by world ranking (No. 10) and 2020-21 PGA TOUR FedExCup standing (No. 7). He tied a PGA TOUR record with the best score in relation to par in the final two rounds of a 72-hole event (18-under). He moves to No. 2 in the FedExCup standings.
Click here for a full look at the final leaderboard.
This wraps up an unusual week of golf in the valley at the 62nd American Express, which was forced to have no fans, no Pro-Am, no La Quinta Country Club and no concerts due to the ongoing pandemic.
The PGA TOUR continues next week in the San Diego area for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in La Jolla.
Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of the American Express golf tournament and all sports news in the valley.
