Kevin Na sank a birdie putt on the final hole to secure a narrow one-shot victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii on Sunday.
The 37-year-old mounted an extraordinary charge on the back nine after dropping what initially proved to be a deciding shot on the 12th hole to launch three consecutive birdies.
Na headed into the par-five 18th hole, knowing that a birdie will all but edge him ahead of the other contenders, while a playoff also seemed possible.
But, the American chipped his third shot right next to the hole, leaving him an easy birdie putt to sink.
It was enough for Na to come out on top after Joaquin Niemann and Brendan Steele failed to make eagles in their quest for glory.
WATCH: Highlights: Sony Open (Round 3)
It meant Na triumphed with a winning score of 21 under par, while Niemann and Chris Kirk settled for T2 on 20 under.
‘It feels great. It’s great to get off to a good start this year and get back in Maui [next year]. It’s just all positives. But I’d like to win another one before the season’s over,’ said Na.
‘I used to be a really consistent player, a lot of top 10s, a lot of made cuts. Winning was still important then but winning felt a little bit distant to me. I knew I could do it; I’ve done it before, but I went so many years without winning that I kind of forgot that feeling, and when I validated it at Greenbrier, it made me hungry for more.
‘I think experience is the reason why I’ve been winning. Experience and confidence. When you do it again, it seems like the next one comes easier. All this time waiting is paying off right now.’
It was Na’s fifth career win on the PGA Tour.
1 win in his first 369 starts.
4 wins in his last 55 starts.Kevin Na is getting used to the top. pic.twitter.com/vDg7JObTrp
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 18, 2021
