2021 PGA Championship: Winners and Losers from Kiawah Island

Each week on the PGA Tour, there are players who do better than expected and those who fall short of expectations. Here at Pro Golf Now, we call them winners and losers. Here are this week’s winners and losers from the 2021 PGA Championship.

Winners

Phil Mickelson – In claiming the title this week at Kiawah Island, Mickelson became the oldest major winner in the history of golf. At 50 years of age, many figured his days of winning on the PGA Tour were over. Lefty proved them wrong.

Louis Oosthuizen – Yes, he had his chances to win on Sunday but the South African had another solid finish in a major (T2). Oosthuizen continues to prove that he can go toe-to-toe with anyone, he just doesn’t win often.

Rickie Fowler – There was some controversy about Fowler getting an exemption into this week’s event. But he proved it was deserved by finishing inside the Top 10 in a major for the first time in nearly three years.

Padraig Harrington – While Phil cornered the market on the “old man” story this week, the 49-year-old Harrington had quite a week as well. He finished at 2-under par after a 69 on Sunday and in a tie for fourth place.

Shane Lowry – Still the defending Champion Golfer of the Year, Lowry finished well this week. Like Harrington, he had a 69 on Sunday and, like Harrington, he tied for fourth place.

Losers

Dustin Johnson – Two major championships, two missed cuts so far in 2021 for the world’s top-ranked player. Johnson was seen as one of the favorites this week but he shot 76-74 to miss the cut. DJ needs to fix whatever is ailing him.

Justin Thomas – The world’s number two player also failed to make it to the weekend at Kiawah. He shot a pair of 75s and found himself one shot outside the cut line. Another player who was seen as a potential contender who didn’t make it to the final two rounds.

Xander Schauffele – The third player in the top four in the world who missed the cut this week. Schauffele is usually a contender in majors, even though he’s never won one, but this was not his week, as he shot 73-77.

Sergio Garcia – An awful 77 on Thursday put Garcia in a tough position. He came back with a 73 on Friday but found himself outside the cut line. Garcia is always thought of as one to watch in majors, even though he’s only won one such event in his career.

Rory McIlroy – He made the cut but was never really in contention all week. This was surprising, considering the fact that he won just two weeks ago in Charlotte and that he blew away the field the last time the PGA was at Kiawah.