Taylor Pendrith secured his first PGA Tour title with a victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in McKinney, Texas. Ben Kohles briefly overtook Pendrith with birdies on the 16th and 17th holes, but a final-hole meltdown cost him the win. Kohles bogeyed the 18th after hitting his second shot into greenside rough, missing a 6-foot putt that would have forced a playoff.
Pendrith capitalized on Kohles’ mistake, two-putting for birdie on the 18th to finish with a 4-under 67 and a total score of 23-under 261 at TPC Craig Ranch. This win comes in Pendrith’s 74th career PGA Tour start. Kohles finished a stroke back with a 66, still seeking his first PGA Tour victory. Alex Noren of Sweden, also chasing his first PGA Tour win, finished one stroke behind Kohles at 21 under with a final round 65.
Other notable finishers at 20 under included Aaron Rai and Matt Wallace of England, as well as the South Korean pair of S.H. Kim and Byeong Hun An. Pendrith and Kohles were neck and neck throughout most of the day, with Kohles briefly taking the lead on the 17th hole before Pendrith tied it up on 18.
Jake Knapp, the second-round leader, finished at 19 under after shooting a final round 70. Knapp and Wallace were the only players in the top eight with a previous PGA Tour win. Pendrith’s victory marks a significant milestone in his career and solidifies him as a rising star on the PGA Tour.