Russell Knox finishes T11 at Hilton Head

Wesley Bryan's break-out win at RBC Heritage

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
In the final round of the 2017 RBC Heritage, South Carolina native Wesley Bryan strung together a strong push early to move ahead and claim his first US PGA Tour victory

HILTON HEAD, South Carolina – News and notes from Sunday’s final round of the RBC Heritage where Wesley Bryan completed the journey from former trick shot artist to US Tour inner.
Bryan fired an impressive 4-under 67 on Sunday to finish 13-under par for the week, securing the first plaid jacket for the proud state of South Carolina with a one shot win.
Incredibly England’s Luke Donald picked up his fifth runner up finish at Hilton Head, and seventh top three finish, in the last nine years.
Patrick Cantlay, Ollie Schniederjans and William McGirt shared third place, two off the pace.
For more of what unfolded at Harbour Town, click here for the Daily Wrap Up.

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BRYAN BREAKS SOUTH CAROLINA CURSE

It took 49 years but a native South Carolinian is finally wearing the plaid jacket.
Wesley Bryan wasn’t even the leading gamecock heading into Sunday’s final round at Harbour Town Golf Links, (Kevin Kisner started two shots back, Bryan was four off the pace) but the US
Tour rookie ended a long drought at the RBC Heritage.
Never had a native golfer won the event first claimed by Arnold Palmer in 1969 from a state proudly boasting the likes of FedExCup leader and world No.1 Dustin Johnson and former U.S. Open winner Lucas Glover.
In recent times Tommy Gainey, Ben Martin and Kisner all had legitimate chances to break the curse but ultimately it was Bryan who will go down in history.
“This is as good as it gets,” he said.
“It's one that I grew up dreaming on the practice green late at night when I was a kid, like this putt's to win the Heritage. And to get it done here is one of the coolest experiences ever.”
The win sends the rookie to 14th in the FedExCup and has him in sight of a place at the TOUR Championship.

Just a few years ago Bryan was scraping his way around on the mini tours and was known more for his trick shots than his game.
Three wins on the Web.com Tour last year catapulted him to the US Tour.
His composure under pressure was a sight to see, although the 27-year-old admitted the nerves hit him late Sunday.
“No. 17, I got up, and I just threw up a little bit in my mouth. And I was like, shoot, I guess this is what nervous feels like,” he said.
“I was super nervous, but I didn't really know it. It's not like I had my hands shaking or I was like getting ahead in my thought process. I just went purple a bit and, yeah, a bit more than a burp came up.
“But coming down the stretch the last four holes I didn't really miss a shot. And it's really satisfying to know that under the gun I was able to perform.”


LEADING FINAL TOTALS
par 284 (4x71)
271 Wesley Bryan (USA) 69 67 68 67
272 Luke Donald (England) 65 67 72 68
273 Patrick Cantlay (USA) 70 66 70 67, Ollie Schneiderjans (USA) 68 68 69 68, William McGirt (USA) 68 68 68 69


SELECTED TOTALS
276 Russell Knox (Scotland) 70 66 72 68, Ian Poulter (England) 66 68 69 73, Jason Duffner (USA) 68 67 65 76 (T11).
279 Graeme McDowell (N Ireland) 72 68 69 70, Tyrrell Hatton (England) 69 68 68 74 (T29).
282 Shane Lowry (Ireland) 66 75  69 72 (T44)
285 Martin Laird (Scotland) 69 70 71 75 (T64)