Reitan claims first PGA Tour title at Truist Championship

CHARLOTTE: Norway's Kristoffer Reitan captured his first US PGA Tour title on Sunday, winning the Truist Championship after a tightly contested battle over the closing holes at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The PGA Tour rookie carded a two-under-par 69 in the final round to finish at 15-under 269, securing the $3.6 million winner's cheque in the signature event. Reitan, playing in just his 15th tour start, became only the second Norwegian to win on the US PGA Tour after Viktor Hovland.

I don't have any words. This is way more than I expected and for it to happen this quickly is just unreal. Dream come true.

Reitan's victory marked the biggest success of his career and came after a difficult period in which he had thought about walking away from golf in 2021. He said rediscovering his enjoyment of the game helped him rebuild his form.

It helped me find my game again, helped me discover my talents again. That was something really important to me, which I try to remind myself of every single day.

That was definitely a huge thing for me, getting back and playing some good golf again.

Back-nine surge proves decisive

The final round developed into a crowded contest, with 10 players sitting within two shots of the lead during the middle of the back nine. Reitan made his move with a strong finish, getting up and down from a greenside bunker at the 14th to set up a birdie from seven feet. He followed that with another birdie at the par-five 15th after reaching the green in two and converting a putt from just inside eight feet to move to 15-under.

He then preserved his advantage at the 16th, holing a par putt from just inside 12 feet after his approach found a bunker. As others faded late, that steady stretch proved enough to deliver the title.

Fowler and Hojgaard share second

American Rickie Fowler, who made six birdies over his first 10 holes, closed with a 65 to finish tied for second on 271 alongside Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard. England's Alex Fitzpatrick, who began the day as the 54-hole leader, signed for a 73 and ended alone in fourth on 272.

Fitzpatrick remained in contention until a double bogey at the par-three 17th. The 27-year-old has played Quail Hollow often, having competed there regularly while attending nearby Wake Forest University. He was coming off solo fourth- and ninth-place finishes in his two starts since earning his PGA Tour card through a team victory with his brother Matt.

Happy to see Kris win. He deserves it. He played really well today. Hopefully mine another time.

It's still very surreal. I feel like it's crazy to be disappointed but somehow a little disappointed.

Reigning US Open champion JJ Spaun of the United States, South Korea's Im Sung-jae and England's Tommy Fleetwood finished tied for fifth on 273. Sweden's Ludvig Aberg and England's Harry Hall were one stroke further back.

McIlroy tunes up for PGA Championship

World number two Rory McIlroy, playing his first tournament since winning his second straight Masters title last month at Augusta National, also made six birdies in his first 10 holes and posted a 67. He finished tied for 19th on 279 at a venue where he has won four times.

Quail Hollow has also been the site of several maiden PGA Tour victories, including McIlroy's in 2010, Fowler's in 2012 and Max Homa's in 2019. The Truist Championship served as the final warm-up before next week's PGA Championship at Aronimink, where world number one Scottie Scheffler will attempt to defend his title.