Major Comeback: JT Wins 2nd Major

05/23/2022 Major Comeback: JT Wins 2nd Major

By: Jeff Yoder

Justin Thomas (-5) Rallies From 7 Strokes Back on Sunday to Win PGA Championship

JT has done it again! Justin Thomas (-5) shot a 3-under 67 on Sunday to complete a wild comeback and defeat Will Zalatoris (-5) in a playoff for the Wanamaker Trophy. Thomas’ low Sunday scorecard helped him leap the 54-hole leader, Mito Pereira (-4), whose double-bogey on 18 cost him the tournament. No one in the field had a better final round than Thomas, who eventually secured his second major title with a birdie on the third playoff against Zalatoris.

 

PGA History: The seven-stroke Sunday rally by Thomas matched a PGA Championship record for the largest comeback in the 104-year tournament history.

 

Pereira’s 18th Disaster: Mito Pereira — who began the day at 9-under — saw his lead evaporate with a tee shot into the creek on the 18th before a double-bogey dropped him to 4-under. It was the first time since 2006 at Winged Foot that a player lost a one-shot lead on the final hole of a major (Phil Mickelson, U.S. Open).

 

JT Climbs the Ranks: It had been 14 months since Thomas claimed a win dating back to The Players Championship (2021). He now owns two major victories and 15 total PGA Tour wins.

 

Watch: Justin Thomas Wins PGA Championship With Sunday Comeback

 

Final Leaderboard

J. Thomas (-5)

W. Zalatoris (-5)

C. Young (-4)

M. Pereira (-4)

T. Fleetwood (-3)

C. Kirk (-3)

M. Fitzpatrick (-3)

 

Other Notable Scorecards: R. McIlroy (-2), X. Schauffele (E), J. Spieth (+4), P. Reed (+4), J. Rahm (+6), T. Woods (Withdraw)

 

Additional Storylines

USA Today: Justin Thomas Beats Will Zalatoris in 3-Hole Playoff for 2nd PGA Championship

Golf.com: Justin Thomas Hit a Cold Shank, Then Won the PGA Championship

ESPN: PGA Rookie Mito Pereira Blows Shot at First Major With Double-Bogey Collapse on 18

 

Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images