There have been no shortage of creative shots pulled off at this week's PGA Championship. Rory McIlroy used a cart path to save par, Louis Oosthuizen turned into a contortionist to hit a green in regulation, and Jason Day–never mind, Jason Day definitely did NOT pull off whatever it was he tried to do on the 18th hole on Saturday.
But on that same hole on Sunday, Jon Rahm took a turn at a trick shot of his own. After his approach shot ended up near the creek, Rahm decided that rather than take a watery stance or hit one lefty, that he would hit his third shot backwards. And incredibly, he found the green with a shot of about 50 yards. Check it out:
https://twitter.com/PGA/status/896811574672842752
Yep, Jon Rahm is probably better at hitting backwards shots than you are at hitting regular shots.
Unfortunately, Rahm didn't hole the par putt, but he still provided fans with the most entertaining bogey of the week. And the best part is that he didn't waste everyone's t..
Masters hero Stewart Hagestad throws out first pitch at Dodgers game — wearing golf shoes
Masters hero Stewart Hagestad throws out first pitch at Dodgers game — wearing golf shoes
PGA Championship 2017: Ian Poulter gets heated with official over ruling
CHARLOTTE — Give Ian Poulter this: The man doesn't shy away from his convictions. While this pertinacity draws its share of detractors, it also helped the Englishman force his way into a favorable — and likely, proper — ruling at the PGA Championship.
During his final round at Quail Hollow, Poulter sailed his tee shot on the short par-4 eighth into the woods, an area marked as a lateral hazard. However, following five minutes of search, Poulter, playing partner Jordan Spieth and marshals were unable to locate his ball. Because the ball was not found, an official suggested, since it was lost, the 41-year-old head back to the tee instead of playing the penalty under the lateral parameters. News not taken kindly by Poulter:
https://twitter.com/PGA/status/896778598358450176
As you can hear, Poulter was indignant over the initial ruling. However, cameras were able to determine the shot did go into the hazard, and moments later, his original ball was found. But, because it was after t..
PGA Championship 2017: Live updates — Thomas jumps to lead on back nine
Ross Kinnaird/Getty ImagesJustin Thomas reacts to his birdie putt on the ninth green during the final round of the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club.CHARLOTTE—Kevin Kisner had a chance to pull away from the field on Saturday at Quail Hollow, but made some costly mistakes at the Green Mile. He still leads by one at seven under and is set to tee off at 2:45 PM alongside Chris Stroud.
The group teeing off just before them, Justin Thomas and Hideki Matsuyama, should make things very interesting. Matsuyama sits at six under, while Thomas is at five under. Like Kisner and Stroud, they are both looking for their first major championship.
Sunday's action has been exciting so far, and we'll have more updates for you throughout the final round.
All Times EDT
6:36 PM: Boom!!! Thomas holes it in the back door at 17 to get to nine under. His drive at 18 found a fairway bunker though, so he's got work to do to save par.
Up at the green, Louis Oosthuizen rolls in long birdie p..
PGA Championship 2017 prize money breakdown
PGA of America(Photo by Gary Kellner/PGA of America via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***CHARLOTTE — Only one player is walking away from Quail Hollow with the Wanamaker Trophy. But a fair share of guys can pad their bank accounts with a solid Sunday outing.
The PGA Championship is handing out $10,500,00 in prize money for this year's event. Compared to its major brethren, it's on the short end of the spectrum: The USGA boasted a $12 million purse at Erin Hills, with the Masters at an $11 million clip. Not that the players should complain: the winner will take home $1.89 million, with second place also earning will north of $1 million.
FacebookPinterestIt's a raise of $500,000 from last year's purse at Baltusrol. Six-figure payouts go all the way to 23rd place; 70th earns $19,600. Those players making the cut but finishing below 70th will be paid in diminishing increments of $100 each.
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PGA Championship 2017: According to this wild, obscure logic, here’s who will win the Wanamaker Trophy
PGA Championship 2017: According to this wild, obscure logic, here's who will win the Wanamaker Trophy
PGA Championship 2017: Why more fans should be rooting for Hideki Matsuyama
Stuart FranklinHideki Matsuyama on the course during a practice round prior to the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club.CHARLOTTE — I feel bad for Hideki Matsuyama. I realize that will sound ridiculous to most. The 25-year-old doesn't need my pity, or anyone else's. He has the world ahead of him. And, potentially in the next 18 holes, a major to his credit as he sits just one back of Kevin Kisner's lead heading into Sunday's final round at the PGA Championship.
That's what made the scene seem odd on Saturday at Quail Hollow as Matsuyama, the 36-hole co-leader and No. 3-ranked player in the world warmed up for his third round with little fanfare. The Japanese phenom's swing is a marvel. Who wouldn't want to watch?
Earlier in the week, the galleries at the range were three deep to get a glimpse of Jordan Spieth and other fan favorites. It seemed strange that Matsuyama, a five-time PGA Tour winner coming off his latest victory at the WGC-Bridgest..
Andrew “Beef” Johnston might have more fun doing this than playing the weekend at the PGA
Andrew “Beef” Johnston might have more fun doing this than playing the weekend at the PGA
PGA Championship 2017: What Justin Thomas needs to do on Sunday to win his first major
Streeter Lecka/Getty ImagesJustin Thomas walks from the 11th tee during the third round of the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club.CHARLOTTE — Earlier this year Justin Thomas entered the final round of the U.S. Open just a stroke off the lead of Brooks Koepka. Thomas bogeyed three of his first five holes, Koepka birdied his first two and, well, that was that.
Sunday, Thomas enters the final round of the 99th PGA Championship just two back of leader Kevin Kisner, playing in the second-to-last group with Hideki Matsuyama.
“Just patience,” Thomas said of what he learned from the first experience that he thinks will help him in the second.
It’s such a cliché. Golf and its players are full of clichés. Thomas isn’t full of patience. What 24-year-old is?
RELATED: Winners & Losers from Saturday at Quail Hollow
What Thomas is full of, though, is game. He’s long off the tee and one of the game’s better ball-strikers. He has already won three times on the PGA Tour this season and four time..