After a couple of weeks with primetime golf, the PGA Tour returned to the continental United States for the 2021 American Express. As always, golf coverage was miserable, as there was no coverage on the weekend until 3 PM EST. Before we get into Sunday at the 2021 American Express, let’s see how our leaders ended up here.
Cameron Davis had a solid first two days, but his weekend brought him into contention. After finishing six-under par after the first two rounds, Davis shot a six-under par round three and put himself three behind the leaders going into Sunday.
After barely making the cut, tournament favorite Patrick Cantlay skyrocketed into contention with a seven-under round three and set himself up four strokes behind.
Si Woo Kim found himself one behind the leader after round two, but played much better on Saturday and found himself tied for the lead at 15-under par heading into Sunday.
Another favorite, Tony Finau, looking for his second win tour, found himself tied with Si Woo Kim after round two and three, tied for the lead at 15-under par.
Sunday Recap of the 2021 American Express
Font Nine
Tony Finau looked to have a stronghold on this tournament earlier after birdies at the first two holes to take a two-stroke lead at 17-under. Though, while he would par the following holes until the eighth, Si Woo Kim birdied four and five to share the lead. Two more at seven and eight tied the lead at 19-under par with Patrick Cantlay, who was eight-under through 13 holes and looking for his second win this season. After Cantlay barely made the cut, he had a great seven-under round on Saturday, setting up a great weekend.
Cameron Davis started out hot and joined Finau at 18-under par after a six-under front nine. The next closest is 15-under par, setting up for a four-man race to the clubhouse.
Back Nine
A birdie at the 11th for Cameron Davis made it a three-way tie and is now seven-under through 11 holes and 19-under par for the tournament. Finau’s birdie at the 10th takes him to 19-under par, but Si Woo Kim answered with a birdie of his own, taking the solo lead at 20-under par.
Another birdie for Cantlay at the 15th tied the lead at 20-under with Si Woo Kim and looking to finish with one or two more to set the clubhouse lead.
At the par-five 11th, Finau would find the water with his second, resulting in a bogey after missing a two-foot putt for par. A birdie at the same hold gave Si Woo Kim the lead alone once again.
Cantlay would go on to birdie the par-five 16th and tie Kim at 21-under with two holes to play. A birdie at the 15th for Cameron Davis takes his score to 20-under par and one behind Kim and Cantlay for the lead. A bogey later for Davis would be too much to overcome and he would fall out of contention.
Cantlay nails another birdie putt at the 18th to take the clubhouse lead at 22-under par and finish 11-under par for the round. Another bogey for Finau at the 14th dropped him to 17-under par and essentially ended his chances at a win.
After reaching the green in two strokes, Kim was able to knock in a two-putt birdie at the 16th and another long one at the 17th to take the solo lead at 23-under par going into the final hole. A par at the 18th would be enough for Si Woo Kim to win the tournament at 23-under par.
Si Woo Kim claims another Stadium. ?
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 25, 2021
The 25-year-old wins @TheAmExGolf, his 3rd TOUR title. pic.twitter.com/DITKIETVut
The Final Leaderboard
Final leaderboard from @TheAmExGolf:
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 25, 2021
1. Si Woo Kim (-23) ?
2. @Patrick_Cantlay (-22)
3. @CamDavisGolf (-20)
4. @TonyFinauGolf (-19)
T5. @Abraham_Ancer (-15)
T5. Michael Thompson
T5. @DougGhim
T8. 4 players tied (-14)
Shots of the Week
Um, what? While he might not have made the putt, the effort is worth a watch.
Well, this is a new one. ?♂️#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/5Ufc6mb0F4
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 22, 2021
Brian Harman shot a solid five-under par round three. This shot at the 17th helped him do that.
️?⛳️?
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 23, 2021
It’s not often the flagstick gives a favorable bounce. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/kWVvpNnG6a
Cameron Davis jumped into contention late on Sunday after a hot start on the front nine. This shot helped build his confidence.
He wasn’t so sure about this at first …
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 24, 2021
… no sweat, @CamDavisGolf. ?#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/UFixclbMK9
Si Woo Kim won the tournament at 23-under par. This putt at the 17th gave him the lead and eventually the win.
Birdie to take the outright lead …
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 24, 2021
… Bang! ?
Si Woo Kim leads by 1 heading to 18. pic.twitter.com/SaTZQBF9sL
Takeaways and Predictions
Pick of the Week Review
My pick of Matthew Wolff winning the tournament did not come true, that’s for sure. Finishing at eight-under par, he had a solid week but it was not enough.
Bet of the Week Review
For my bet of the week of Rickie Fowler to beat Abraham Ancer? Wrong as well. It got close for a while but it was not nearly enough for Fowler to top him. I’ll be better next week.
Score Prediction Review
My score prediction of 25-under par was not spot on, but it was close. If I can be within two strokes of my prediction, I am happy with that. That’s two weeks in a row, so hopefully I can make it three next week at Torrey Pines.
Takeaway of the Week
The biggest takeaway from this week is Tony Finau. Again he finishes near the top, but he cannot seem to finish. He entered Sunday with a share of the lead, but did not have the right stuff to convert. Will 2021 finally be the year he captures a win?
