14 June 2021: Sunday at the Congaree changed everything for Garrick Higgo. The 22-year-old fired a feisty 68 in the final round to secure a nervy one-stroke victory six seasoned golfers. Overnight leader Chesson Hadley let himself down with a 75, melting away a four-stroke advantage in the heat of battle. Higgo ended the week at 11-under 273.
Anirban Lahiri enjoyed a steady week as he works his way back from a bout of COVID19. He started the week with a 69 and ended it with a 67, showing clear signs that he is inching closer to finding the full range of his game. On Sunday, Lahiri shot five birdies in the first seven holes to set up a robust round of golf. It was enough to net him a T25 with five others including Ian Poulter and Henrik Norlander.
Higgo, already has three titles on the European Tour, having won two of his last three starts. He found the next gear on Sunday, securing his PGA TOUR future through the end of 2023 and a ticket to the Masters in 2022.
“I’m just proud of the way I hung in there,” he said in his virtual press conference after posing with the trophy on the 18th green. “It was tough all the way from the start. Definitely didn’t have my A game in terms of off the tee, but I like that sometimes. I like not having to play perfect golf. I enjoy scrambling and making a couple putts, which I did, which was awesome.”
“I mean, my dream’s always been to play on the PGA TOUR permanently,” Higgo said, “so at the moment, I’ll focus on that, see if I can keep going.” Next stop is the US Open for Higgo, his second major, having finished in T64 in the PGA Championship.
Hudson Swafford (66), Doc Redman, Jhonattan Vegas (67), Tyrrell Hatton, Bo Van Pelt (68) and Hadley (75) ended in a tie for second place, just one stroke behind Higgo.
Ryan Armour secured an unlikely top ten, jumping 28 spots, with a sensational 64 in the final round. He finished in T8 with David Lipsky at 9-under 275.
Matt Fitzpatrick, Erik van Rooyen, Pat Perez and Dustin Johnson were at 8-under in T10.
