GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Aaron Rai capitalized on Max Greyserman’s late collapse to win the Wyndham Championship on Sunday and capture his first PGA Tour title.
Rai closed with a 6-under 64, with the 29-year-old Englishman making a 6 1/2-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th to post at 18-under 262 in the regular-season finale at Sedgefield Country Club.
“It really is a dream come true,” said two-time European tour winner Rai.” Many people played an important role in me being at this point.”
Greyserman, the 29-year-old former Duke player, shot a two-stroke 69 on a day in which everyone played 36 holes and then some in the rain-washed event on Thursday and postponed on Friday and Saturday.
Rai was four strokes behind after Greyserman holed a 91-yard eagle on the par-4 13th, then had an unexpected share of the lead a hole later when Greyserman went out of bounds and made a quadruple-bogey 8-for-14.
“If this doesn’t hit the cart path, we’re probably in a different situation,” Greyserman said. “That doesn’t mean that jump is the reason I didn’t win.”
Greyserman — who shot 60 in the second round — birdied the par-5 15th to take a shot ahead, then four-shotted the par-3 16th for a double bogey and parred the final two holes.
“Played well enough to get away.” Greyserman said. “Obviously, things happen in golf that sometimes shouldn’t happen.”
Rai didn’t know where he was on the leaderboard during the round.
“I didn’t really look and ask to know that information,” Rai said. “I think it was probably a good thing that helped me focus on golf. I was playing well and I knew that if I finished well you never know what could happen.”
JJ Spaun (64) and Ryo Hisatsune (67) tied for third at 15 under.
Amateur Luke Clanton bogeyed the final two holes for a 69, tying for fifth with Austin Eckroat (67) at 14 under.
“It’s exhausting. I’m exhausted,” said Clanton, who will begin playing Monday in the U.S. Amateur in Hazeltine, Minnesota. “Thirty-nine holes of golf is no joke.”
Second round leader Matt Kuchar was tied for 12th at 11 under when he decided to stop play on the 18th because of darkness. He will return on Monday morning to finish.
Kuchar needed a win to extend his FedEx Cup playoff streak. He was the only player to reach every previous postseason.
The top 70 on the points list qualified for next week’s playoff opener in Tennessee. Victor Perez tied for 33rd and remained in 70th.
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