Daniel Berger wins the first PGA Tour event after the 91-day hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 27-year-old defeated youngster Collin Morikawa in a playoff on the first sudden-death hole.
After Berger converted his up and down for par, Morikawa missed his short putt, giving the Florida native the victory.
This is Berger’s third win on the PGA Tour, his first two coming at the FedEx St. Jude Classic.
“It’s a range of emotions,” Berger said to CBS’s Dottie Pepper after the playoff. “I grinded so hard the past two months to be in this position. I am so thankful that all the hard work paid off.”
Back on the tee in a big way. 🏆@DanielBerger59 wins the @CSChallengeFW in our Return to Golf.
It’s his third career victory and first since 2017. pic.twitter.com/jfLJYFXdcG
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 14, 2020
Daniel Berger started the final round two shots back of the 54-hole leader Xander Schauffele. After converting 78.6 percent of fairways and 66.7 percent of greens in regulation, Berger shot up the leaderboard. He converted a 21-foot birdie on the 14th hole and needed one more on the 72nd to force a playoff.
Jason Kokrak, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose, Morikawa, and Schauffele all missed their birdie attempts on 18.
Berger had other plans, sinking the 10-foot putt to move into a tie for the lead at 15-under par with Morikawa.
A birdie at the 72nd hole to tie the lead.
What a time to step up, @DanielBerger59.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/CZDcxGVhgx
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 14, 2020
Berger’s win at the Charles Schwab Challenge is his first since 2017.
after battling a wrist injury two years ago that nearly cost him his career, Berger is fully healthy, playing his best golf. His last three tournaments had him finish in the top 10; T-9th at the Waste Management Open, T-5th at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and T-4th at the Honda Classic.
“When I came back, I came back stronger than I ever had before,” Berger said. “I wanted it more than I ever wanted before. It’s the greatest feeling in the world.”
Berger’s three wins all occurred in June. His active streak of 28 rounds of par or better is the longest on the PGA Tour and is projected to move into 11th place in the FedEx Cup Standings.
