Kristoffer Reitan, starting the final day of the Truist Championship trailing by one shot, carded a 2-under-par 69 to secure a two-stroke win and his maiden PGA Tour title.
“I’m absolutely over the moon,” expressed Reitan, a 28-year-old rookie who achieved this milestone in his 15th Tour start. “It happened much sooner than I could have ever imagined. It’s been an awesome experience.”
After posting a bogey-free 64 on Saturday at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., the Norwegian maintained even par on Sunday while his closest competitor, Alex Fitzpatrick, was 3 over. Fitzpatrick rallied with three birdies on the opening four holes of the back nine to reach even par, but Reitan surged ahead with consecutive birdies on the 14th and 15th holes.
Fitzpatrick’s chances faltered with a double bogey on the 17th. Reitan played the final holes to par, finishing at 15-under 269. Rickie Fowler’s closing 65 placed him in a tie for second at 13 under, alongside Nicolai Højgaard, who shot a 68. Fitzpatrick ended the tournament in fourth place, three shots back at 12-under 272 after a final-round 73.
Reitan Considered a Career on YouTube
Reitan revealed that he contemplated pursuing a career as a YouTube golfer due to dissatisfaction with his game, particularly after losing his DP Tour card.
“I was questioning whether I wanted to continue playing professionally,” Reitan stated. “So, yes, I was exploring ways to make the game more enjoyable and relaxed.”
“I believed that YouTube golf might have brought back some of that fun competitiveness, perhaps not the intense rivalry, if that makes sense. I was trying to find avenues to inject more enjoyment into my journey in golf, to regain some energy and have fun while playing so I could better withstand the inevitable hardships of professional golf.”
Ultimately, Reitan found that taking a break from the sport, rather than starting a YouTube channel, significantly shifted his perspective on his golf game.
“It helped me rediscover my game,” Reitan explained. “It allowed me to reconnect with my abilities, which was incredibly important to me, and something I remind myself of daily. This break was instrumental in my return and in beginning to play well again.”
Last year, Reitan achieved two victories on the DP World Tour and earned his PGA Tour card for the first time by finishing within the top 10 of the 2025 DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai. His best previous performance this year was a tie for second at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with his partner Kris Ventura, finishing one shot behind Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick.
Fowler’s Strong Surge
Fowler began Sunday with an exceptional start, sinking five birdies on his front nine to go out in 30, giving him a one-shot lead over Reitan.
“The first nine was about having a great day, and the back nine was realizing we were in a position to compete for the win,” Fowler commented.
However, Fowler, who started the day seven shots behind the leaders, was unable to maintain his momentum.
Playing several groups ahead of the final pairings, Fowler missed a 6-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole. This allowed Reitan, Fitzpatrick, and Højgaard to join him in a four-way tie for the lead.
Reitan seized the lead permanently when he reached the par-5 15th green in two shots and two-putted for a birdie. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick’s approach shot from thick rough barely reached the fringe, resulting in a par and dropping him one shot behind. Højgaard bogeyed the 16th, falling two shots adrift.
Fowler’s aspirations were dashed when his approach shot on the 18th hole landed in deep rough to the left of the green. His subsequent chip fell short, leading to a bogey.
Fowler is the sole player to have secured top-10 finishes in all four of this year’s Signature Events (T9 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, T8 at the RBC Heritage, T9 at the Cadillac Championship, and T2 at the Truist Championship). The six-time Tour winner achieved his inaugural victory at the 2012 Truist Championship.
Disappointing Finish for Young
It was a disappointing day for Cameron Young, currently ranked world No. 3. Seeking a second consecutive victory after his win last week at the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral, Young began the day just two shots off the lead but suffered a double bogey on the second hole and managed only one birdie for the remainder of his round. He finished with a 74, tying for 10th place, six shots behind the leader.
In a parallel event, the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, Brandt Snedeker closed with a 5-under 66 to capture his first PGA Tour title in almost eight years, earning him a spot in the upcoming PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia, PA.
