Patience pays off for Chez Reavie

Chez Reavie ended an 11-year wait for his second PGA Tour win as he closed out victory at the Travellers Championship on Sunday.

The American carried a six-shot lead into the final round at TPC River Highlands, though he would see that whittled down to just a single stroke during the back nine as Keegan Bradley closed in.

Bradley made four birdies in six holes from the 10th onwards to cut the gap to a single shot. Reavie meanwhile was left frustrated by a run of eight pars from the ninth onwards, despite repeatedly giving himself good looks at birdie.

Everything turned on the penultimate hole, where Reavie finally made his birdie and Bradley toiled to a double-bogey six, ensuring the former could stroll up the 18th, making par, for a four-shot win over Bradley and Zach Sucher.

For Reavie, his 17-under par total was pleasing. He made 20 birdies across four rounds and dropped only three shots. He was always anticipating that Bradley would turn up the heat during the final round.

“I was fortunate enough to stay patient because I knew Keegan would come out firing,” said Reavie.

Paul Casey shot a final round 65 to share fifth spot and the Englishman was keen to pay tribute to Reavie afterwards.

“He’s tough as nails,” said Casey of his former Arizona State colleague. “He doesn’t have the physical attributes that seem to be what you need to play nowadays, but he’s always nipping at your heels, like a Jack Russell. He’s brilliant.”

Casey can be backed at 41.00 to win next month’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.