GOLF: Kristoffer Reitan nabs first PGA win at signature Truist Championship

Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan barely made it into the Truist Championship field, but the PGA Tour rookie turned a late opportunity into a breakthrough victory on Sunday at Quail Hollow Club.

Reitan carded a 2-under-par 69 in the final round to finish at 15-under 269, securing his first PGA Tour title by two strokes. The win marked a significant milestone in his young career and made him the second Norwegian golfer to win on the PGA Tour, joining Viktor Hovland.

“This is way more than I expected, and for it to happen this quickly is just unreal,” Reitan said. “Yeah, a dream come true.”

The 26-year-old held his composure as the leaderboard tightened late in the round. While multiple contenders briefly shared the lead on the back nine, Reitan remained steady, capitalizing on key mistakes from others to secure the win in just his 15th tour start.

England’s Alex Fitzpatrick, who began the final round atop the leaderboard, finished fourth at 12 under after a final-round 73. His round unraveled early with a double bogey on No. 3, and a costly mistake on the par-3 17th effectively ended his challenge.

“I’m disappointed not to have won, but I’m also really proud of myself for how I battled out there,” Fitzpatrick said.

Reitan took control late, moving ahead with a birdie on the 15th hole before recovering from a bunker on No. 16 to preserve his lead. That composure proved decisive as others faltered down the stretch.

American Rickie Fowler posted the lowest round of the day with a 65 to briefly move into contention at 14 under, but a bogey on the final hole dropped him into a tie for second. Fowler’s approach on No. 18 found thick greenside rough, leading to a costly finish.

“Bummed not to be in a position to at least maybe to be in a playoff or having a chance to win,” Fowler said. “But at the same time, a lot of really good stuff this week.”

Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard also shared second place at 13 under after a closing 68, while J.J. Spaun, Tommy Fleetwood, and South Korea’s Sungjae Im tied for fifth at 11 under.

At one point late in the round, four players were tied for the lead at 14 under, but Reitan separated himself with timely shot-making and steady putting under pressure. Højgaard’s bogey on No. 16 proved pivotal in shifting momentum toward the eventual champion.

The Truist Championship also saw strong final-round scoring, with Sam Burns and Australia’s Min Woo Lee both shooting 64 to post the best rounds of the day. -Field Level Media/Reuters