Another choke at the Wyndham Championship as Jon Rahm collapses and Rory McIlroy falters, opening the door for Max Greyserman.

Greensboro, N.C. — Aaron Rai of England clinched his first PGA Tour victory with a determined final-round performance at the Wyndham Championship on Sunday. In a day marked by grueling play, Rai’s closing 64, which included a steady finish, was pivotal as he secured a two-stroke victory after a marathon final day at Sedgefield Country Club. Rai’s triumph came in his 89th PGA Tour appearance, and he finished at 18-under-par 262 for the tournament.

 

The final round was particularly demanding as Rai completed 36 holes on Sunday due to delays earlier in the week caused by severe weather. The tournament, which faced significant disruptions from Tropical Storm Debby, was squeezed into a compressed schedule, culminating in a tense conclusion as dusk approached. Rai, who had posted a third-round 68, demonstrated remarkable resilience and consistency throughout the final round, remaining bogey-free and sinking a crucial 6½-foot birdie putt on the last hole to seal his victory.

 

Max Greyserman, who was in contention for his first PGA Tour win, finished in second place at 16 under par. Greyserman, who shot rounds of 66 and 69, had a four-shot lead entering the back nine but saw it evaporate in dramatic fashion. His performance was marred by a costly quadruple-bogey 8 on the 14th hole, where his tee shot went out of bounds and the situation deteriorated from there. Despite recovering with a birdie on the next hole, Greyserman’s round was further complicated by a four-putt double-bogey on the par-3 16th, which handed the lead back to Rai.

 

Despite the setbacks, Greyserman showed resilience, having also been a runner-up two weeks earlier at the 3M Open. The 29-year-old notched his fourth top-10 result of the year, underlining his competitive form throughout the season.

 

Japanese golfer Ryo Hisatsune and J.J. Spaun both finished tied for third place at 15 under par. Hisatsune completed his rounds with scores of 64 and 67, while Spaun shot 66 and 64. Their strong finishes showcased their competitive edge, with Hisatsune’s performance adding to his growing reputation on the Tour.

 

Luke Clanton, an amateur from Florida State University, had an impressive showing as he finished in fifth place at 14 under par. Clanton’s remarkable final rounds included a career-low 62 in the third round and a 69 in the final round. Despite playing 39 holes on Sunday due to the condensed schedule, Clanton’s performance drew significant attention. He was within a shot of the lead during the third round, thanks to eagles on the 13th and 15th holes. However, he bogeyed his last two holes of the fourth round (Nos. 8 and 9), which slightly dampened his final position.

 

Clanton, the only amateur in the field, expressed his excitement about his performance. At just 20 years old, he found the experience of competing in contention to be a valuable learning opportunity. “Being out here in contention and being able to say that I was kind of close to the lead coming down the stretch is awesome,” Clanton said. “It’s a lot of learning for me, and again, as a 20-year-old, it’s pretty sweet.”

 

Meanwhile, Matt Kuchar, who led after the second round, had a third-round 70 and was at 11 under par when he chose not to finish the final hole due to darkness. Kuchar, a consistent performer who had qualified for every edition of the FedEx Cup playoffs since its inception in 2007, needed a victory to secure his place in next week’s FedEx St. Jude Classic. The scheduling chaos due to weather delays had impacted many players’ strategies, including Kuchar’s.

 

The Wyndham Championship was further complicated by the weather disruptions that led to a chaotic schedule. The initial round was postponed due to heavy rain, and additional delays on Friday only added to the logistical challenges. For some players, the endurance test began even before the final round, as they completed remaining holes from the second round. The compressed schedule and the harsh conditions made it a demanding week for all participants.

 

Sedgefield Country Club, which has hosted the Wyndham Championship since 2008, provided a challenging backdrop for the players. The course, a Donald Ross design that opened in 1926, underwent a significant restoration in 2007 to reflect Ross’s original design. Known for its tricky greens and strategic layout, Sedgefield remained a formidable venue for the tour’s finale, testing the skill and stamina of every competitor.