Rookie Vincent Norrman wins in playoff at Barbasol Championship for first TOUR title
Vincent Norrman, a promising rookie, emerged victorious in a thrilling playoff at the Barbasol Championship, capturing his first PGA TOUR title. The 25-year-old Swede demonstrated nerves of steel as he lipped in an 8-foot bogey putt on the 72nd hole to force the playoff and later scrambled for par on the same hole in sudden death to defeat Nathan Kimsey.
Norrman, who had a stellar collegiate career at Florida State University following four years at Division II Georgia Southwestern, celebrated his triumph in just his 23rd professional start. He concluded the tournament with a remarkable final round of 66 at Keene Trace, finishing at an impressive 22-under 266.
Kimsey, a 30-year-old DP World Tour player making his PGA TOUR debut in this co-sanctioned event, posted an outstanding 64 to reach 22-under, hoping it would be enough for the victory. However, Norrman and Trevor Cone were still ahead at 23-under. Cone's tee shot on the par-3 16th found the tall grass to the left of the green, resulting in a costly double bogey. This unfortunate turn of events opened the door for Norrman, who, despite hitting his fairway wood off the 18th tee into an awkward lie, managed to salvage the hole with a 57-yard approach shot. Unfortunately, he missed the green and chipped past the hole, but he converted a clutch bogey putt that caught the lip and dropped.
In the playoff, Norrman found himself in a similar predicament, pulling his tee shot left once again. However, he displayed exceptional short game skills, chipping to a mere 2 feet for an easy par. On the other hand, Kimsey faced difficulties after his tee shot landed in thick rough to the right, narrowly avoiding the water hazard. His bunker shot fell short of the green, and he was unable to convert the subsequent up-and-down.
Cone finished one shot shy of the playoff, shooting a respectable 68, tied with Adrian Saddier (66), a DP World Tour player from France.
Lucas Glover, a seasoned veteran who led after the first and second rounds, settled for fifth place at 20-under, securing his third consecutive top-10 finish. The 43-year-old golfer fired a solid 68, extending his streak of rounds in the 60s to an impressive 12, all since switching to a long putter.
Cone held a one-shot lead entering the final round, but it didn't take long for Norrman to catch up. With a remarkable six birdies on the front nine, Norrman turned in an outstanding 6-under 30. Despite a steady even-par inward nine, his early lead proved to be insurmountable. Over the course of four days, Norrman displayed remarkable consistency, carding rounds of 66, 67, 67, and 66.
Norrman's triumph at the Barbasol Championship marks the beginning of what promises to be a bright career on the PGA TOUR. Golf enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await his future performances as he continues to make his mark in professional golf.
