Kevin Chappell went into Sunday at East Lake as a supreme underdog.
“No one thinks I’m gonna win it,” he said late Saturday after he tied Dustin Johnson for the 54-hole lead.
Chappell had his chances to win the Tour Championship this week and didn’t and when he goes back over the crazy events of Sunday, he can simply look back at the 18th hole as the one hole that cost him the championship and a possible first PGA Tour win.
As good as Chappell played all week, he simply didn’t not birdie the very inviting par five 18th in five tries — four times over the four rounds and one time in the playoff.
Zero for five on a reachable par five isn’t going to cut it when you’re with the best of the best.
For 54 holes, Chappell was the best man in the field in greens in regulation and was hitting it closer to the pins than anyone else in the field. “That’s golfing your ball,” said analyst Johnny Miller.
Indeed, Chappell outplayed the No. 2 player in the world — Johnson. He nipped him on Saturday, 68 to 69 then totally buried D.J. on Sunday, shooting 66 to Johnson’s closing 73.
“I played 17 and 18 in 10 shots,” Chappell lamented after he exited the playoff. “You’re not gonna win that way. It was a nervy day. But I was very comfortable all day. I fought against D.J. I gave it all I had.”
Chappell also knew he was a long-shot to make it as the final selection for the Ryder Cup team.
He acknowledged that he hadn’t spoken to Davis Love III and simply added, “I will let things take care of themselves.”
