The Sentry review
A good field participated in the first PGA Tour event of 2024 which included world number 1 Scottie Scheffler major champions Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, Brian Harman and FedEx Cup champions Patrick Cantlay & Viktor Hovland. The Sentry was the first signature event of 2024 with a prize fund of $20,000,000 and the winner receiving $3.6 million. On day three Max Homa hit a drive 477 yards at the par four seventh and set a new record for the longest drive on the PGA Tour. Chris Kirk took a one shot lead into the final round but quality players were in the chasing pack which included Spieth, Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. The stroke average for the final round was 66 which was the lowest ever for a PGA Tour round.
Kirk started his final round with a birdie at the third hole. Kirk reached 25 under after making three birdies in a row at the fifth, sixth and seventh hole. Kirk achieved a birdie at the par five ninth to shoot a front nine of 31 and reach 26 under. Kirk made it tough for the chasing pack as he reached 27 under after a birdie at the par three 11th hole.
Spieth started the final round two shots behind Kirk. Spieth got off to a slow start but ignited with three birdies in a row at the seventh, eighth and ninth hole. Three time major champion made five birdies in a row to reach 25 under after 11 holes. Spieth had 69 yards for his second shot at the 12th which nearly missed the green but ended up with a par.
Sahith Theegala started the final round on 18 under four shots behind Kirk. Theegala made his first birdie of the final round after an incredible tee shot at the 227 yard par three second hole. Theegala made it four birdies in a row at the par five fifth hole. Theegala finished the front nine in style with a birdie at the par five ninth to shoot 31.
Scheffler was leading The Sentry with two rounds to go but had a disappointing third round of two under. Scheffler started the final round on 18 under and played the first four holes in one over. It looked like Scheffler’s challenge was fading until he achieved birdies at the fifth, sixth and seventh hole. 2022 Masters champion missed a six foot putt for birdie at the eight hole but got a sensational up & down at the ninth to shoot a front nine of 33.
Scheffler started the back nine with a birdie but followed it up with two disappointing pars at both the 11th and 12th hole. Theegala took advantage of a great tee shot at the par three 11th as he rolled in his birdie putt. Theegala continued to impress as he made four birdies in a row from the 13th to 16th hole. Scheffler’s challenge faded on the back nine but made two birdies in a row at both the 15th and 16th hole to keep his chances of a good finish alive. Spieth’s tee shot at the drivable par four 14th ended up right of the green but achieved an up and down to reach 26 under. Former FedEx Cup champion Spieth was unlucky as his tee shot at the par five 15th ended up in a divot but still managed to achieve a birdie to tie the lead on 27 under.
Kirk was unable to take advantage of the drivable par four 14th and had to settle for a par. Kirk hit an extraordinary second shot at the par five 15th which ended up 11 feet from the hole. Kirk missed his eagle putt but a tap in birdie was good enough to reach 28 under. Theegala was tied for the lead with Kirk playing the 17th hole. Theegala hit a poor second shot at the 17th which ended up short of the green and his chip shot went nine feet past the hole. Theegala kept the momentum in his favour as he held a massive putt for par at the 17th hole.
Spieth’s tee shot at the 16th hole ended up in a bunker and had no shot to the green. Spieth dropped a shot at the 16th after been unsuccessful in getting up and down for par. Theegala’s chip shot at the 18th came up short and had a 10 foot birdie putt to shoot 29 under. Theegala’s birdie putt lipped out and had to settled for a round of 64. Theegala finished second on 28 under. Spieth bounced back after a bogey at the 16th and finished with a birdie to shoot 64. Spieth finished third on 27 under.
Kirk hit a sensational five iron to three feet at the 17th hole. Kirk reached 29 under after tapping in a short-range putt for birdie at the 17th. Kirk played the 18th with a one shot lead and a two putt for par was good enough for the American to win The Sentry. Kirk shot a final round of eight under and his performance was exceptional especially in getting the better of a world class field. Kirk moved to 25th in the World Golf Rankings after his win at The Sentry.
Scheffler finished in a tie for fifth after a birdie at the 18th hole. In Scheffler’s last 24 worldwide starts the American has finished in the top 10 21 times. 2023 Open Championship winner Harman had an eagle on the back nine to finish in a tie for fifth on 25 under. Morikawa had a final round of eight under to also finish in a tie for fifth on 25 under. Sunjae Im also finished in a tie for fifth on 25 under but set a new record of 34 birdies to be made in a PGA Tour event. Schauffele’s highlight of day four was an eagle at the 18th hole to finish in a tie for 10th on 24 under.
Seamus Power was the only Irishman to play in The Sentry but finished in a tie for 50th on 12 under. A good start to the PGA Tour season with an exciting finish but a well-deserved win for Kirk.