Rookie Derek Ernst had a fantastic performance on Sunday to win the Wells Fargo Championship, as the 22-year-old defeated David Lynn in a playoff and ahead of Phil Mickelson to take the title in just his ninth career PGA event.
Ernst made a comeback on the final day after coming into the tournament as the fourth alternate and he pushed the match to a playoff with David Lynn after a fantastic play on the 18th hole. Ernst was one shot behind Lynn and converted a birdie to force a playoff after finishing with a two-under 70. The 18th hole was soaked with steady rain for the playoff hole and he was able to give himself a chance to win with a shot near the hole and was able to get the win despite being ranked 1,207th out of the world golfers. The win sends him into the Players Championship next week, which will bring out Tiger Woods for the first time since the Masters.
Phil Mickelson had a one shot lead heading into the final stretch, but he ended up in third after making two straight bogeys while missing putts and he finished on 18 with a 73 on the day. According to ESPN.com, the win by Ernst also gives him places at two World Golf Championships, the PGA Championship, the Tournament of Champions next year at Kapalua and the Masters next April, which is not too bad for someone making their ninth career PGA start.
Lynn was excellent down the stretch by shooting four under par on the last three holes during the week and did not hit one bogey during that time. He lost it in the end on the playoff hole and shot bogey after hitting the bunker. Rory McIlroy was near the top of the leaderboard at one point and finished in 10th place with a 73, while Robert Karlsson bogeyed on the final hole with a chance to make the playoff. Mickelson was close as well and had a one shot lead at one point before losing on the birdie putt that missed on the 15th hole.
The schedule hits the Players Championship at TCP Sawgrass next weekend in Florida with last years defending champ Matt Kuchar taking on McIlroy, Mickelson, Woods as well as Ernst.
