Theegala breaks PGA drought, Aussie Davis third in Napa

Sahith Theegala has claimed a four-shot win in California for his first PGA Tour triumph. (AP PHOTO)

Australia's Cam Davis has finished third at the Fortinet Championship in California, falling just short of his second PGA Tour victory.

The 28-year-old from Sydney started Sunday's (Monday AEST) final round two strokes behind Sahith Theegala and eventually finished four shots behind the American at 17 under par after shooting a two-under 70.

World No.37 Theegala earned his first PGA Tour title after a 68 left him two clear of South Korea's S H Kim, who also shot four-under in the final round.

The 25-year-old California native made a splash early in his pro career and qualified for the FedEx Cup playoffs earlier this season, but a victory was missing from his resume until his exploits at Silverado Resort's North Course in Napa.

"It doesn't feel real," Theegala said on the Golf Channel broadcast.

"It's probably not going to set in for a while.

"That was some of the most fun I've ever had in my life."

World No.49 Davis was seeking to add to his breakthrough win on the tour at the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic.

But a bogey on the par-4 fourth and a double on the par-4 eighth scuppered those hopes, though he did finish strongly on the back nine with an eagle and two birdies.

"It was an awesome week. I really enjoyed everything about this week actually," Davis said.

"Just didn't quite get off to a really good start today which kind of threw me so far off that I wasn't really a contender anymore.

"It was awesome to watch how well Sahith played today. He did everything he needed to do to get the job done today."

Having led the tournament after a first round 63, Australian Lucas Herbert shot a 72 to be tied-30th at seven-under.

After starting the day with a two-stroke lead, Theegala carded four birdies and one bogey on the front nine. His second dropped shot came at the par-4 10th, but he closed out the win with an 11-foot birdie putt at No.12, a 20-foot birdie putt at 14 and a seven-foot birdie at No.16.

That was plenty of cushion for him to absorb a bogey at the final hole, even after Kim finished with four birdies on the back nine.

Eric Cole (70) was fourth at 16 under and fellow American Justin Thomas (72) placed fifth at 15 under, his highest finish since February.

Kim moved from 83rd to 57th in the standings of the inaugural FedEx Cup Fall series, which for the first time is using the seven events after the Tour Championship to finalise eligibility for next season.

The top 125 at the end of the northern autumn will retain their full PGA Tour cards. Being in the top 60 will qualify players into two signature events next winter, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Genesis Invitational.

With Reuters.

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