Cameron Young smashed his driver in anger and missed another chance to win his first PGA Tour title at the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Sunday.
The 27-year-old Young was again knocking on the door to victory, but couldn't deliver when it mattered, finishing with a 2-over 38. Young tied for sixth in Detroit with a 1-over 73, marking his 18th top 10 since joining the PGA Tour at the start of the 2021-22 season. He's one of 13 players with at least 18 top 10s in that span and is the only one of those players without a win.
The only player without a Tour win or at least 17 top 10 finishes since the start of the 2021-22 season is Tommy Fleetwood (17).
Young started the day one stroke behind, with five straight pars and one bogey. Another miss? Maybe not, as birdies on the eighth and ninth holes put him within one stroke of the winner. The trophy was within reach. But then the birdies dried up.
That looks crazy! pic.twitter.com/A0DxSHs94E
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) June 30, 2024
Frustrated by missing fairways (he only managed five strokes in the final round, ranking 74th or last among the field) and missed putts, Young broke his driver on the 14th tee, slamming it into the ground and putting his weight on the shaft after a snap hook. CBS's Trevor Immelman and announcer Circle Cou pointed out Young's negative energy at the end, especially as he was slumping on the green after a bad putt. Young still had a chance after missing par within four feet on the 16th, then hitting a 3-wood on the par-5 17th, when no one seemed to be trying to grab the trophy. But when he three-putted from 60 feet and left the green for par, that glimmer of hope vanished with pain. A bogey on the 18th cost him nothing but some money and FedEx Cup points. His fate was already sealed.
Young leads the Strokes Gained Tee to Green rankings and is obviously talented enough to win his first tournament soon, but until he proves it, the questions about his chances of winning will continue to haunt him. And best of luck to his next driver shaft.