Varner outlasts Grace, posts first victory in LIV Golf event

STERLING, Va. — Harold Varner IIIHe won his first LIV Golf tournament Sunday when he birdied the par-5 18th at Trump National, in LIV Golf – DC.

Varner won by a single shot. Branden GraceSouth Africa’s, who, moments earlier, holed a birdie of 20 feet on a difficult par-4 hole, his final of the shotgun starting. Grace closed with a final score of 66.

Mito PereiraThe 36-hole leader shot 71 to finish third.

Varner won his first American victory. He had never won a PGA Tour event before joining the Saudi-funded league. His two previous professional wins were the Australian PGA Championship, and the Saudi International.

“I’m improving at golf,” said he. “That’s been my goal for a long time.” “I think big things will be coming.”

Varner, who had opened the 54-hole tournament with a 64 at the start, began the final round a shot behind Pereira. The Chilean, however, bogeyed both of his first two holes.

Varner birdied the 11th hole with a bunker shot. He then made a birdie putt of about 12 feet on the 15th to give him a two-shot advantage. Grace birdied two out of his last three holes.

Varner finished with a 12-under-204 score and earned $4 million.

Torque won team competition.

Brooks KoepkaA week after winning his fifth major, the PGA Championship in Oak Hill, he shot a 70 to tie for 12th.