Apparently, Jonas Blixt has a new favorite season.
The PGA Tour rookie had a share of the 54-hole lead last week at the Fall Series opener in Las Vegas but couldn’t close the deal. It wasn’t any easier Sunday at the Frys.com Open, but this time he made a gutsy up-and-down from behind the drivable 17th to win by one at CordeValle.
“It’s unbelievable. I have no words right now,” Blixt said afterward. “This is the sickest dream I’ve ever had.”
With clubhouse leader Tim Petrovic milling around the bowels of the clubhouse, Jason Kokrak buried a 20-foot eagle putt on the 17th to move into a three-way tie for the lead at 15 under.
Blixt took driver on 17, but his tee shot sailed over the green, into a tricky lie. The 28-year-old Swede played a courageous flop shot, with water looming long, and he coaxed in the 10-foot birdie putt to move one shot ahead. On the final hole, he misjudged his wedge shot and needed to two-putt from 45 feet to secure the victory. He closed with 68 – his ninth consecutive sub-par round – to finish at 16-under 268.
Blixt, who became the third rookie to win this season, moved to 35th on the PGA Tour money list. The top 30 earn invitations to The Masters.