Rookie Kaufman Wins In Golf Tourney

Two weeks into the new season, rookies are ruling the PGA Tour. Smylie Kaufman became the second straight rookie to win Sunday when he closed with a 10-under 61 and then waited more than two hours to see if anyone could catch him in the Shriners Hospital for Children Open.

That felt tougher than any of the seven birdies and one eagle he made over the final 11 holes at the TPC Summerlin.

"I dodged a lot of bullets coming down the stretch with guys coming," Kaufman said after his one-shot victory. "So much more stressful than on the course. So much worse. I felt like I was watching an LSU football game."

Kevin Na played a role in both rookies winning.

Emiliano Grillo won the Frys.com Open last week, and Na made it easier on him in the second playoff hole at Silverado by taking bogey on the par-5 18th.

This time, Na caught Kaufman with a 25-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole, only to flub a chip just short of the par-3 17th and make bogey. His 15-foot birdie putt to force a playoff caught part of the right lip and kept going.