Kevin Na loses Frys.com title to Grillo after 2nd round playoff

Korean American Kevin Na took out a driver to play the second shot with 269 yards to the pin in the second round playoff at Hole 18 (par 5). It is uncommon not only for a weekend golfer but also for a pro to use a driver at fairway.

However, Na had already taken out a driver at the first found playoff he played at the same hole. He intended to send the ball as closest to the green as possible, but his second shot hit the ground to cause spark like flint, and the ball made sharp curve before falling into a rough to the left. After playing a difficult approach shot behind a tree, Na played bogey after all. Meanwhile, Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, who was competing for the title with Na, sent his tee shot to a bunker, but played a safe layup and sent his third shot to 2.7 meters off the pin, before securing a birdie.

This happened at the Frys.com Open, the opening event of the PGA Tour’s 2015-2016 season, which ended at Silverado Country Club (par 72) in Napa, California on Sunday. Na played four birdies at last six holes in the fourth round, posted the same record as Grillo overall with 15-under 273, but lost a chance to secure a win for the first time in four years due to a critical mistake.

“I played with a driver at fairway five to six times this week, and I did well. I felt confident (in the second round playoff) as well, but my shot was affected by darkening of the day. I will choose to play a driver in the future as well,” Na said. "Not a long-ball hitter, Na has often practiced playing a driver to try 2 on at par-5 holes. The ball was higher than the stance, and his club face was closed, and as a result, he had a bad shot when hitting the ball,” said Na Sang-hyeon, Na’s elder brother and golf commentator.

kjs0123@donga.com