TULSA, Okla. – Justin Thomas won the 2022 PGA Championship in a playoff against Will Zalatoris on Sunday at the Southern Hills Golf Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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According to The Associated Press, Thomas’ win, which marked his second PGA Championship victory, came after he and Zalatoris both finished at 5-under 275 over 72 holes, sending the pair to a three-hole aggregate playoff. Thomas outlasted Zalatoris with two birdies and a par to claim the Wanamaker Trophy, the AP reported.
Thomas, who started the day seven shots behind then-leader Mito Pereira, also tied the biggest comeback in PGA Championship history, according to the AP. In 1978, John Mahaffey also came back from seven down, ultimately besting Tom Watson and Jerry Pate in a playoff to win the championship, the news agency reported.
“It’s funny. I was asked earlier in the week what lead is safe, and I said, ‘No lead,’” Thomas said, according to the AP. “This place is so tough. But if you hit the fairways you can make birdies, and I stayed so patient. I just couldn’t believe I found myself in a playoff.”
>> RELATED STORY: Tiger Woods withdraws after Round 3 from 2022 PGA Championship
Tiger Woods, who injured his right leg in a car crash last year, withdrew from the tournament Saturday after 54 holes, PGA of America President Jim Richerson said in a statement.
“We admire Tiger’s valiant effort to compete here at Southern Hills and wish him the best as he continues to recover from his injuries,” the statement read.
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Justin Thomas holds the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament in a playoff against Will Zalatoris at Southern Hills Country Club, Sunday, May 22, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla.
Justin Thomas poses with the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament in a playoff against Will Zalatoris at Southern Hills Country Club, Sunday, May 22, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla.
Justin Thomas poses with the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament in a playoff against Will Zalatoris at Southern Hills Country Club, Sunday, May 22, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla.
Justin Thomas celebrates with his caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament in a playoff against Will Zalatoris at Southern Hills Country Club, Sunday, May 22, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla.
Justin Thomas reacts after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament in a playoff against Will Zalatoris at Southern Hills Country Club, Sunday, May 22, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla.
Justin Thomas hits from the bunker on the eighth hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club, Sunday, May 22, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla.
Will Zalatoris chips to the green on the eighth hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club, Sunday, May 22, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla.
Mito Pereira, of Chile, reacts after missing a putt on the 11th hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club, Sunday, May 22, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla.
Will Zalatoris watches his tee shot on the 12th hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club, Sunday, May 22, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla.
Justin Thomas celebrates after a birdie with his caddie on the 11th hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club, Sunday, May 22, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla.
Here are some memorable photos of golf legend Tiger Woods through the years.
1992: Tiger Woods watches his shot during the 1992 Los Angeles Open at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on Feb. 27, 1992.
1993: Tiger Woods hits a shot during the 1993 Los Angeles Open at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on Feb. 26, 1993.
1994: Tiger Woods of the USA enjoys himself during the World Amateur Team Cup held in Versailles, France, in September 1994.
1995: Tiger Woods of the United States holds the trophy after winning the United States Amateur Championship golf tournament on August 27, 1995, at the Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island.
1996: Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates with the trophy and two Showgirl performers after winning his first professional golf tournament at the PGA Las Vegas Invitational on October 6, 1996, at the TPC Summerlin Golf Course, Desert Inn, Las Vegas.
1997: Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates after sinking a 4-foot putt to win the US Masters Golf Tournament with a record low score of 18 under par on April 13, 1997, at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
1998: Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates his play-off victory over Ernie Els of South Africa during the Johnnie Walker Classic on January 25, 1998, at the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket, Thailand.
1999: Tiger Woods poses with his trophy after the NEC Invitational World Golf Challenge at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, on Aug. 29, 1999.
2000: Tiger Woods of the United States keeps his eye on his shot during the World Golf Championships WGC-American Express Championship golf tournament on November 12, 2000, at the Valderrama Golf Club in Sotogrande, San Roque, Spain.
2001: Tiger Woods pumps his fist on the 18th green after winning the 2001 Bay Hill Invitational at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida, on March 18, 2001.
2002: Golfer Tiger Woods poses with girlfriend Elin Nordegren during the opening Ceremony for the 34th Ryder Cup on September 26, 2002, in Sutton Coldfield, England.
2003: Tiger Woods holds the Gene Sarazen Cup after winning the American Express Championship at the Capitol City Club on October 5, 2003, in Woodstock, Georgia.
2004: USA team member Tiger Woods with his fiance Elin Nordegren arriving at the 35th Ryder Cup Matches Gala Dinner at the Fox Theater on September 15, 2004, in Detroit.
2005: Tiger Woods hits from the seventh tee during the final round of the 2005 Target World Challenge Presented by Countrywide at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California, on December 11, 2005.
2006: Tiger Woods holds the winner’s trophy after defeating Jose Maria Olazabal and Nathan Green in a playoff during the final round of the PGA TOUR’s 2006 Buick Invitationa at Torrey Pines South in La Jolla, California, on January 29, 2006.
2007: Tiger Woods during the final round of the 2007 Wachovia Championship held at Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 6, 2007.
2008: Tiger Woods reacts to his birdie putt on the 18th green to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate during the final round of the 108th U.S. Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course) on June 15, 2008, in San Diego.
2009: In this handout released by the White House, U.S. President Barack Obama (left) talks with professional golfer Tiger Woods in the Oval Office of the White House on April 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C.
2010: Tiger Woods makes a statement from the Sunset Room on the second floor of the TPC Sawgrass, home of the PGA Tour on February 19, 2010, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Woods publicly admitted to cheating on his wife Elin Nordegren but maintained that the issues remain "a matter between a husband and a wife."
2011: Tiger Woods lines up a putt on the 12th green during the first round of the 93rd PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club on August 11, 2011, in Johns Creek, Georgia.
2012: Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates after holing out from a bunker for birdie on the 18th hole during the second round of the 141st Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club on July 20, 2012, in Lytham St. Annes, England.
2013: Tiger Woods of the United States chips the ball while skier Lindsey Vonn watches ahead of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 15, 2013, in Gullane, Scotland.
2014: Tiger Woods of the United States reacts on the seventh tee during the second round of the 96th PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on August 8, 2014, in Louisville, Kentucky.
2015: Tiger Woods of the United States watches his tee shot on the first hole during the final round of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2015, in Augusta, Georgia.
2016: Tiger Woods attends the Tiger Woods Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Celebration at the New York Public Library on October 20, 2016, in New York City.
2017: Golfer Tiger Woods appears in Palm Beach County court October 27, 2017, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Woods plead guilty to a second-degree misdemeanor reckless driving charge.
2018: Tiger Woods of the United States looks on during a practice round prior to the 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club on August 7, 2018, in St. Louis.
2019: U.S. President Donald Trump gives professional golfer and business partner Tiger Woods the Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House on May 6, 2019, in Washington, D.C.
2020: Tiger Woods of the United States plays his shot from the eighth tee during the second round of the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park on August 7, 2020, in San Francisco.
2021: Tiger Woods on hand at the trophy presentation ceremony after the final round of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 21, 2021, in Pacific Palisades, California.
Tiger Woods speaks during his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame Wednesday, March 9, 2022, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)