Patton Kizzire prevails in playoff to win Sony Open

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Patton Kizzire craves being uncomfortable so it makes perfect sense he would win the Sony Open in Hawaii in a week where strange events were common place.

With a false alarm for a missile strike, picketing television crews, a six-hole playoff and a good friend of the TOUR in the ICU in critical condition the week at Waialae Country Club was one for books.

But ultimately it was Kizzire who claimed his second PGA TOUR win this season, outlasting James Hahn as the sun began to set in Honolulu.

And he immediately put his mind forward towards a third.

“I love trying to get better and putting myself in uncomfortable spots. That’s all I want to do is just to be somewhere that I’ve never been because that gets me uncomfortable. That’s when I know I’m doing something right,” Kizzire said after the wacky week.

“I’m just going to keep working hard. I want to get the third win. The first win was big, and this one is even bigger.”

Kizzire jumped to a huge lead in the FedExCup after becoming the first multiple winner this season. Having first won the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in the fall Kizzire now has 1,213 FedExCup points – a 452-point lead over second placed Pat Perez.

He was already a lock to make the FedExCup Playoffs (it took just 365 points last season) and now appears a lock to make it all the way to the TOUR Championship. (It took 1322 points last season).

“Our ultimate goal is to be No. 1 at the end of the year,” he said.

“We’ve got a long way to go. A fast start is always a positive. I’m excited to be back on top and look forward to taking that Cup.”