Jason Kokrak celebrates after winning the Schwab Challenge at Colonial
Fort Worth, Texas – Jordan Spieth led by one after 54 holes heading into Sunday’s final round, but even the home crowd couldn’t bolster the play of their favorite son. Spieth sputtered from the start and never found his groove at Hogan’s Alley. Jason Kokrak, who entered the day a shot back, kept the pressure on with steady ball striking and a surprisingly hot flatstick. Kokrak did overcome two faulty greenside bunker shots early on, but clearly was the player on form (finishing at -14 after an even par 70). Spieth had battled back to within one on the 18th tee, but bogeyed the 18th after his approach from the right rough found the water left of the green – to finish second at 12 under par after a final round 73.
Ian Poulter (68), Patton Kizzire (67), Charley Hoffman (65) and Sebastian Munoz (68) all finished tied for third, two shots back.
Kokrak, 35, now has won twice this season (he also won last October’s CJ Cup on his 233rd career start.
Spieth, who was battling his swing all day long, had a rough start to his final round with three bogeys in his opening four holes, while Kokrak was almost as shaky with two dropped shots over the first four. Spieth pulled even at the turn, but Kokrak took the lead again with another birdie at the 11th and never looked back. Kokrak moved to 5th in the Fedex Cup standings, while Spieth leaped up to 2nd.
