2017 in Review

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The 11th edition of the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba was stamped with characteristics like patience, determination, joy and anguish.

Patton Kizzire won his first PGA TOUR title by beating—at the end—Rickie Fowler in a 36-hole marathon on the final day as the best field in the history of Mexico’s pioneer PGA TOUR competed at El Camaleón Golf Club.

Kizzire closed with rounds of 66-67 for a one-shot victory over Fowler, who fell four shots behind during the final round, until staging a late rally that fell short. Fowler had rounds of 67-67 on the final day.

Kizzire won in his 62nd career start on the PGA Tour, and it required some steady nerves on the back nine when it could have gotten away from him. Leading by four shots with seven holes to play, Kizzire saved par with an eight-foot putt on No. 12, a 10-foot putt on the par-five 13th and an eight-foot putt on the 14th.

He had a three-shot lead with three holes to play when Fowler made a 15-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole and rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole to close within one shot. But from the 18th fairway, Fowler sent his approach some 35 feet left of the flag and left the birdie attempt short.

Kizzire had to stand close to his approach shot to keep his feet out the sand, and he hit an eight-iron to within 25 feet. After Fowler left his birdie attempt well short, Kizzire rapped his putt to within a few inches and tapped in for the winning par.

“I was glad to get it done,” Kizzire said. “Rickie made me work hard. This is a special moment for me. But at the end of the day, I will leave here the same confident player, just with a different resume.

“The fans that came out to support us were tremendous. A lot of them followed us every step of the way and it much appreciated.”

Not only did Kizzire, 31, move to the top of the FedExCup standings with his victory, he finished at 19-under 265 and earned his first trip to the Masters in April.