31 May 2021: On his 233rd start on the PGA TOUR, Jason Kokrak finally put the demons to bed with sensational 64 in the final round to win his first PGA TOUR title. He did not have to wait anywhere near as long for his second, but Kokrak needed to endure a late stumble, a partisan crowd and a determined Jordan Spieth to clinch his second title at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas.
The weight of playing at Colonial, one of the iconic courses in the USA and working in the company of Spieth could not hold back Kokrak from claiming the tartan jacket, a custom made 1946 pickup truck and a healthy cheque.
On Sunday, there was no repeat of the soaring 64 enroute to victory. Instead, he overcame a couple of late bogeys to secure an even-par 70 for a two-shot victory. Spieth helped him at the very end, getting wet with his approach on the 72nd hole. After that the density of the chase and the intensity of Texan crowd suddenly felt easier for Kokrak, who two-putted his way to a memorable victory.
It was a sedate finishing 70, after he worked his way in the final group with 65-65-66 in the first three rounds for a 14-under 266. Spieth was runner-up at Colonial for the third time in his career, besides a win in 2016, at the height of his powers.
Only Bryson DeChambeau and Stewart Cink have won more than once in the 2021 season, besides Kokrak.
Kokrak has to thank his caddie David Robinson for an upswing in his fortunes. Shifting to a longer, 36″ shaft has made a marked improvement to the short game for Kokrak, who is reaping the rewards of the change.
“Ever since we got together four years ago, I called him up and said, listen, this is going a good ride,” Kokrak said. “I’m a pretty good ball-striker and you’re a great green reader. We’ll make a good duo.”
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing on Sunday. He fell two back when he bogeyed the first hole. But Kokrak stuck his neck front by the fifth, where he pocketed a 23-footer for birdie with icy calm. Another one from ten feet on the next helped him keep the lead.
Even as Spieth continued to display amazing skills around the green, Kokrak maintained his nose in front with the help of his putter. A 17-footer on the 13th followed from another from 11-feet on the eleventh as he seemed set to bring the chickens home. But in a sudden turn of events, Kokrak conceded back to back bogeys at 15 & 16 and Spieth clawed his way to a one-stroke deficit.
Looking for a decisive approach, Spieth put too much on the ball, the energy rolling the ball into the water to the left of the green. That was it for a thrilling contest between two gladiators punching each other all day.
