It wasn’t easy, but Paul Casey was able to defend his title at the 2019 Valspar Championship.
Casey’s final round got off to a rough start with three bogeys through his first seven holes. He was able to bounce back and grind out a 1-over 72 to claim another win at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course at 8-under par.
Louis Oosthuizen and Jason Kokrak tied for second at 7-under, followed by Bubba Watson and Sungjae Im who finished T-4 at -6. World No. 1 Dustin Johnson was in the final pairing with Casey, but was unable to make birdie in his final round 3-over 74.
It took Casey nine years to get his first win at last year’s event, and his second win comes just 12 months later.
“Obviously I’m finding it easier (to win), although today wasn’t easy. But I’ve felt very different since winning last year,” said Casey. “Last year’s win was so big, that felt like my first victory as a professional. I’ve felt so different since then, new confidence. I’m getting older but I feel like I’m getting better.”
Things got interesting down the stretch when Casey bogeyed the par-3 17th, the second hole of the Copperhead Courses infamous Snake Pit closing holes. That dropped shot temporarily tied Casey with Kokrak, who was playing in the group ahead.
Casey’s tee shot on the final hole missed right, but a great second shot from the church pew bunkers along the right side of the fairway – and a Kokrak bogey – set up a two-putt par for the win.
Kokrak was on pace to continue a weird trend over the last two months. Seeking first PGA TOUR win in 197 starts, the 33-year-old Canadian native would have become the third player this year to make a hole-in-one and win the tournament had he been able to beat out Casey.
Conditions weren’t ripe for scoring on Sunday, as seven players all tied for the low-round of 3-under 68, lead by the likes of Bubba Watson and Jon Rahm.
The Tour ends its Florida swing and now moves on to Austin, Texas for the
World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play.
