When you’re closing out a PGA TOUR event, there’s nothing like a long walk with a putter in your hand and a 5-stroke lead. And this is exactly what Kevin Na was able to enjoy on Sunday at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier as he walked the final 160 yards or so to the 18th green on Sunday.
Na was in the process of putting the finishing touches on an incredible week and capping off a final round 6-under-par 64 when he turned to the cameraman, who was strolling alongside, and sent his love to his wife and daughter.
A few moments later, Na was alone at the top of the leaderboard and his second career PGA TOUR victory was on the horizon.
“Oh, it's indescribable,” said Na. “The amount of close calls I've had and disappointments I've had, walking off the 18th hole in the locker room, on the drive back to the hotel. I mean, a lot of heartbreaks, but today everything was going well. Everything was going my way, and it was nice to have that big lead going up to the last hole and enjoying the moment. It was well worth it.”
A quick look at his scorecard and it was clear that Na’s game was dialed in this week. He was at the top of the field in birdies with a total of 23 on the week, Putts Per GIR (1.604) and Strokes Gained Total (16.885). He was also second in Scrambling (78.95%) and Strokes Gained Putting (7.089).
Na topped a leaderboard that included 9 of the top 10 finishers relying upon Titleist golf balls for their success, including the runner-up and Jason Kokrak (Pro V1) who tied for 3rd at 13-under.
There was a five-way, all-Titleist golf ball tie for 5th at 12-under, including Austin Cook (Pro V1), Joel Dahmen (Pro V1x), Joaquin Niemann (Pro V1x), Sam Saunders (Pro V1) and Harold Varner III (Pro V1x). The 19-year old Niemann fired a final-round 6-under 64 to vault up the leaderboard. He now has four top-8 finishes this season. The runner-up, Kokrak and Cook all qualified for the Open Championship with their performances.
Russell Henley (Pro V1x) closed with a 7-under 63 to round out the Top 10 at 11-under.
By The Numbers
Titleist was the top choice in golf balls this week with 118 (76%), nearly 100 more than the nearest competitor with 19 (12%). Titleist was also the field favorite in hybrids with 32 (36%) and irons with 48 (31%). Vokey Design Wedges topped the approach, sand and lob wedge category with 223 (53%) and Scotty Cameron Putters led the way with 63 in play.
The new Titleist TS metals continued to build momentum as nine TS2 and seven TS3 drivers were in play. In addition, 11 new TS2 and eight new TS3 fairways were in play this week.
Na’s winning performance marked the 24th victory for Titleist golf ball players on the 2017-18 season, three times the nearest competitor with 8.