Mullinax birdies last hole to win Barbasol Championship

Trey Mullinax won the rain-delayed Barbasol Championship for his first PGA Tour title on Sunday, hitting a 15-foot putt from the edge of the 18th green to beat Kevin Streelman with one stroke.

Mullinax, 30, followed up the breakthrough putt with a fist pump and a celebratory shout. He played 33 holes on Sunday, facing a 5-under 67 in the delayed third round and calling with a 66 to finish at 25-under 263.

« I stayed focused for 72 holes, » Mullinax said. « I missed a few chances with the putter and just told myself to keep putting, I put well. I hit my irons beautifully all week, probably the strongest part of my game. I knew that I was going to get that shot a few times, and I hit a good shot at the right time. »

Streelman’s hope of forcing the playoffs ended when his 9-foot birdie putt rolled right. He settled for a par and a 67.

« I’m frustrated that I hit two amazing shots on the last two holes and hit two good putts, » Streelman said. « One of them is gone, the other is not. »

Mullinax secured the final British Open berth at St. Andrews, with that tournament starting on Thursday. The former Alabama player also earns berths in the 2023 PGA Championship and Sentry Tournament of Champions.

It was the sixth consecutive close finish in the Barbasol Championship determined by a stroke or in the playoffs. Mullinax claimed his title in his 105th PGA Tour start, overcoming bogeys on the par-5 sixth and ninth holes to finish with three birdies aft and eight overall.

Mark Hubbard finished third at 22 under after a 65. Hurly Long (71) was at 21 under.

Mullinax and Streelman were deadlocked for several holes before Streelman fell back with a bogey on the par-3 16th. Streelman quickly made up for it with a birdie at 17, converting a 9-footer.

After two days of rain delays that pushed rounds to the next morning, the players finally had perfect weather in central Kentucky. At the same time, it meant a long Sunday with much of the field first having to complete the bulk of a third round suspended by darkness before regrouping for the final 18 holes.