Daniel Berger Wins Charles Schwab Challenge, First PGA Tour Event Since March

After having its season canceled following the first round of The Players Championship back in March, the PGA Tour returned with the Charles Schwab Challenge. Daniel Berger came out victorious, going 15-under par, winning in a playoff against Collin Morikawa. 

Berger’s win was the third of his career, earning him 500 FedEx cup points, and $1.35 million. Certainly not the largest payout in golf history but given how long of a hiatus golf has been on, shows the current state of the PGA Tour and the upward trajectory the sport is in.

On the course, the play was electric. Entering Sunday’s final round, there were numerous big names in the game in contention. Morikawa had the solo lead during one point in the back nine and when he came to the final hole, had a birdie putt to take the outright lead entering the clubhouse, but missed it just short. That was a common thread as Justin Rose, Jason Kokrak and Bryson DeChambeau all had birdie putts on the last hole to tie the leaders at 15-under par but missed. Berger made a birdie on the last hole to get to 15-under to tie Morikawa and Xander Schuaffele at the time, which ultimately earned his spot in the playoff. 

Schauffele did not participate in the playoff and finished in a tie for second at 14-under par. The solo leader following the third round, was at 15-under par entering the 17th hole, but a lip out putt for par from inside three-feet ended his chances of pulling out the victory. 

The PGA Tour will continue its season next week with the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head South Carolina.