FILE PHOTO – Aug 17, 2019; Medinah, IL, USA; Joaquin Niemann waits on the 1st tee during the third round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Medinah Country Club – No. 3. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
(Reuters) – Joaquin Niemann got stronger as the day went on to become the first Chilean to win on the PGA Tour, claiming a six-shot victory at the Greenbrier Classic in West Virginia on Sunday.
Tied at the ninth hole following a bogey, the 20-year-old, who had led most of the day, dropped in six birdies on the back nine, including three consecutive to end play, as he shot a six-under 64 at White Sulphur Springs.
Not even a bogey at the 15th could halt his march as he won the opening tournament of the new PGA season at 21-under 259.
Tom Hoge, who had chased Niemann all afternoon, wound up second at 15-under after a closing 65.
Brian Harman (65), Harris English (67), Nate Lashley (69) and Richy Werenski (69) were another shot back.
Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina, editing by Pritha Sarkar
