Cameron Young continued his rise from golf’s near-man to one of the biggest stars on the PGA Tour at The Players, overcoming Sunday in major style to score the biggest win of his career.
A thrilling final day at TPC Sawgrass saw Ryder Cup stars, past major champions and PGA Tour rookies battle it out for the top of the leaderboard, with Young plowing through the pack to claim a memorable victory.
With Ludwig Oberg taking a three-shot lead overnight on the back nine, playing partner Matt Fitzpatrick faltering with a late bogey, and many challengers making late mistakes, Young delivered when it mattered most, taking home the top prize of $4.5 million.
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Ludwig Oberg goes into the water on back-to-back holes at The Players and gives up the lead!
Young started the day four shots behind Oberg, held a three-shot lead at the turn, and held a one-shot lead over Fitzpatrick until a 10-foot birdie on the 17th. It was one of the most iconic par 3s in golf, and his third birdie in recent years.
The 28-year-old then hit a stunning 375-yard drive down the fairway on the final par-4, catching the back fringe on his approach shot and kicking in par after Fitzpatrick made bogey, taking the lead for the first time this tournament with his final shot of the week.
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Cameron Young looks back on impressive win at The Players
“The atmosphere and feel there is just like a major championship,” Young said after the win. “I’ve been leading with one or two holes left heading into some majors, and that’s the best preparation you could ask for.
“This is a pretty difficult place. Mentally it’s incredibly tough. To be able to overcome that and play like I did today is the best preparation I could ask for.”
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Highlights from Young’s final round, where he overturned a four-stroke deficit to take the victory.
Young’s career has been on an upward trajectory since his breakthrough victory at the Wyndham Championship last August, during which time he was winless in his first 93 starts on the PGA Tour, despite posting seven runner-up finishes, including the British Open.
His impressive Ryder Cup debut came the following month in his home state, where he was co-leading scorer for Team USA and had one of the few positive performances at home against Team Europe at Bethpage Black.
Young’s early-season form already suggests that a return to the winner’s circle is on the horizon, with a tied seventh place finish at the Genesis Invitational, a shared third place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and a one-shot win at The Players for his second PGA Tour title in 11 starts.
With an obvious growth in confidence, he has reached a career-high of world No. 4 and aims to do what the previous two winners of The Players have achieved. His goal is to follow up his victory in Ponte Vedra Beach with a green jacket at the Masters a month later.
“My first feeling this season is getting ready for the Masters,” Young added. “So my goal is to get into as many fights as possible before then.
“This tournament definitely has a major feel and The Players is an incredible event. If anything, I think this is the best possible preparation for the first major of the season.”
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Young won by one stroke over The Players after Matt Fitzpatrick missed his par putt on the 18th green.
“I don’t have a specific goal. My goal is to be ready to play late Sunday at Augusta. It’s not necessarily about winning, it’s not necessarily about doing certain things. It’s about being ready and comfortable when the moment comes.”
Defending champion Rory McIlroy finished long before Sunday’s final group tee-off, and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler may not have been in contention for a spot, but the tournament still produced a comfortable leaderboard on the final day of a major.
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Rory McIlroy reflects on his week at The Players and debates whether to add another event before the Masters
Fitzpatrick admitted he was “frustrated” not to have secured a shutout victory, which would have enabled him to become the first British player to win The Players, while Oberg revealed he was “obviously frustrated” not being able to close the 54-hole lead for the third time in four attempts as a professional.
Xander Schauffele, Robert McIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood and Sepp Straka will all compete on that final day and aim to compete again at Augusta National in April. Young has achieved a lot and has his sights set on winning his first major.
What’s next?
The PGA Tour will be in Florida for the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor. Early coverage will begin on Sky Sports Golf from 11.30am on Thursday, ahead of full coverage from 6pm.
There are less than four weeks left until the opening game of this year’s men’s major. McIlroy’s title defense at the Masters will be broadcast live exclusively on Sky Sports Golf from April 9th to 12th. Get and stream Sky Sports without a contract.
