Jason Kokrak Earns First PGA Tour Victory
Las Vegas, NV – Jason Kokrak (-20) caught fire during the final round at the 2020 CJ Cup @ Shadow Creek to shoot 64 and win his first career PGA Tour event. The 35-year-old American has been in contention but has never been able to get the job done before. This time, he went all-in in Vegas and ended up taking home the big prize. Interestingly, being an MGM ambassador, Kokrak has had more experience at Shadow Creek than most players.
Kokrak edged out Xander Schauffele by two after entering the final round tied with him three shots back of leader Russell Henley at -15. Henley finished T3 at -17 alongside Tyrrell Hatton. Hatton kept up his good form after winning in his previous start at the BMW Championship on the European Tour.
The CJ Cup is normally played at Nine Bridges on Jeju Island in South Korea, but due to the COVID pandemic, it was moved to Shadow Creek. This provided golf fans with a rare glimpse of Tom Fazio’s ultra-expensive, ultra-artificial golf paradise in the Nevada desert. The golf course was pristine, with thick overseeded rough and firm and fast greens.
Some other players who had notable performances included Talor Gooch, who finished in solo fifth at -16 and showed his first win may not be far away; Joaquin Niemann, who shot a final round 66 to finish one back of Gooch in solo sixth; and Jason Day, unfortunately, who was supposed to be the third member of Kokrak and Schauffele’s group but withdrew after making triple on the first hole, citing neck pain.
Next week, the PGA Tour will head to Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California to contest the ZOZO Championship. Tiger Woods will defend his title there and look to earn his record-breaking 83rd career PGA Tour victory. Other players in the field include Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, and Patrick Cantlay.
Jason Kokrak What’s In The Bag
Driver: TaylorMade SIM 9° (Accra TZ5 85 M5 Proto)
3 Wood: TaylorMade SIM 15° (Project X HZRDUS Smoke 80)
Irons: PXG 0311T Gen 3 3-PW (True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 52°, 56°, 60° (True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400)
Putter: Bettinardi BB8 Tri Dass
Dylan Thaemert
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