TULSA, OKLAHOMA | Cinderella’s story took a dark turn on Sunday.
The PGA Championship was Mito Pereira’s to win. If his ball made one more rotation on the 17th green, he probably would have won. It didn’t, and suddenly the nerves and inexperience got the best of the young Chilean playing his first major weekend.
Pereira’s gut-wrenching double bogey on the last hole opened the door for Justin Thomas to win his second Wanamaker Trophy. A fitting champion who tied John Mahaffey’s 1978 PGA record for largest comeback to win.
Thomas did what veterans do best: play well and let others make mistakes. Pereira, playing his second major, made the most untimely double. Cameron Young, making his first major cut, made double with a share of the lead on 16. Séamus Power, making his second major start, made double early to derail his chances. Matt Fitzpatrick and Abraham Ancer, each with one lone top-10 to their names in majors, shot 73s and never threatened.
Thomas took advantage when opportunity presented and justifiably burnished his ...
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