Jason Kokrak finished 20 under par on Sunday at the Shadow Creek Golf Course to win the 2020 CJ Cup. The victory was more resounding as that was his first PGA Tour title. Kokrak finished two shots ahead of Xander Schauffele while Englishman Tyrrell Hatton was tied at third place with Russel Henley.

Kokrak began his day three shots behind Henley but was able to play a bogey-free round that saw him sail to the top. He started his journey to victory by playing an eight-foot shot on the second hole. Then, from the fifth hole down to the eighth, strengthening his lead and putting him ahead of Schauffele. Schauffele then made a 20-foot shot at the ninth hole which also surged him forward, but still one shot behind Kokrak. Kokrak as well saw a long-shot opportunity for his tenth hole and he executed the shot as well as he could.

From the 11th hole to the 15th, both men shared the lead, posting birdies from long distances. Schauffele faltered in the 16th hole, putting Kokrak one shot ahead of him. Kokrak put a beautiful end to the game by making a birdie on the 18th, winning the event.

Kokrak was able to claim his first PGA Tour title in his 233rd start. The win gives him an invitation to next year’s Masters and even PGA Championship. It would also improve his ranking from number 53 to somewhere within the top 30. He would also collect a cash prize of $1.8m.

Justin Thomas, who was the defending champion at the event, finished tied at 12th place along with Jon Rahm and two others while Rory McIlroy finished tied at 21st place. Brooks Koepka made his first appearance in two months at the CJ Cup and finished 28th. The former world number one revealed that his knee and hips were now fine and he would be showing up at the Augusta National.

Written by: Leon Osamor