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Justin Thomas claims US PGA Championship

By AAP Newswire

May 23, 2022

American golfer Will Zalatoris. — Justin Thomas won the PGA Championship in a three-hole playoff over fellow American Will Zalatoris. -AP

Justin Thomas has won his second US PGA Championship after edging out fellow American Will Zalatoris in a three-hole play-off in Oklahoma.

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Thomas overcame a seven-shot final-round deficit with a Sunday 67 to finish at five-under par after 72 holes, before two birdies in the play-off sealed a stunning victory.

Zalatoris closed with a one-over 71 to join Thomas in the unlikely play-off afterÂ Mito Pereira double-bogeyed the last hole when leading by a shot.

Pereira, a PGA Tour rookie playing his first US PGA Championship, had been bidding to become golf's first major champion from Chile.

But the 27-year-old found the water off the tee on the 18th and couldn't get up and down after missing the green on approach, eventually signing for a disappointing five-over 75.

Pereira, who enjoyed a three-shot lead five holes into his final round, had to settle for equal third at four under with American Cameron Young (71).

Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood (67) and Matthew Fitzpatrick (73) and American Chris Kirk (68) shared fifth at three under.

Cameron Smith (69) and Lucas Herbert (71) finished as the leading Australians in a tie for 13th at even par for the championship.