Justin Thomas won on Westwood to win the The Players Championship, a great effort from French n ° 1 Victor Perez, author of a solid last round in 67 (-5), secured a well-deserved top 10.

Justin Thomas wins The Players Championship, Victor Perez top10

Justin Thomas wins The Players Championship 2021 - AP Photo / John Raoux

Justin Thomas, third at the start of the last round, won Sunday against Lee Westwood by winning his first Players Championship title. Claiming a 14th career title on the PGA Tour, matching the best 36-hole return in tournament history.

The 27-year-old American beat Englishman Westwood on the return nine holes with a series of three birdies closed a masterful eagle halfway before adding a crucial birdie on the par 5 of 16 for a victory with one step ahead.

“I am so happy to be a Players champion,” said Thomas. “Probably one of the best tours of my life. "

Thomas, the 2017 PGA Championship winner, touched 17 of 18 greens in regulation with a final lap of 68 (-4) for a total of 274 (-14) at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

“I was able to play beautifully, make good shots and putts,” said Thomas. “I was lucky to play well enough that a lot of my birdies didn't get stressed. "

Westwood, 47, finished on a final 5-yard birdie putt and alone takes second place for the second week in a row. US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and fellow American Brian Harman shared third place.

“I didn't feel my legs were working properly. I paid a heavy price for it, ”Westwood said.

“What I liked was the way I fought with the few matches I had today. I held on and gave myself a chance. Justin just didn't make a mistake. "

After the lowest round of the week with a 64 on Saturday, Thomas tied the record for the lowest score over 36 holes, coming back from 7 strokes and tying the best two-round result in the history of the players Championship

“This victory was huge,” said Thomas. "I am really proud of the quality of my game."

Thomas joined Tiger Woods, Johnny Miller and Jack Nicklaus as the only players with 14 PGA wins before the age of 28 and was delighted to do so in front of a limited number of spectators.

“It's hard to put into words. It's been just crazy, everything we've been through since last year, ”said Thomas. “To do it in front of the fans would have been amazing.

“I will never forget this day. "

Thomas fought the controversy earlier this year, apologizing for using a homophobic slur the TV microphones picked up at the January Tournament of Champions, which cost him a sponsorship from Ralph Lauren. But he praised his team of friends and family for helping him through difficult times.

“When you're in a difficult situation mentally or you're not feeling so good, having a support system like this is huge,” he said.

Thomas said he had received advice from 15-time Grand Slam winner Tiger Woods, who was still recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident, saying: "I was replaying in my head a lot of what he was doing to me. said . "

- 'I know he's watching' -

Justin Thomas was in tears as he remembered his grandfather Paul who introduced him to golf, who died last month at age 89, saying, “I wish I could talk to him. I know he's watching. "

 

Very nice comeback from Victor Perez with a top 10, the French number one signs his best performance on the PGA Tour and seems to be on a new start for this season, author of an excellent last lap, aligning a score of 67 (-5 ), six birdies for a single bogey.

 

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