By Bob West

RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico — A pulled tee shot into a hazard on the 14th hole
Sunday, leading to a double bogey six, shot down Chris Stroud’s dream of
winning his first PGA Tour tournament in 277 starts.
Stroud, who was three-under-par for the day at the time of his ill-fated
tee shot, and tied with Retief Goosen for the lead at 18-under, wound up
having to settle for a tie for eighth place. After the double bogey on 14, he
rebounded with a birdie at 15, then ended any hope with a bogey from the
middle of the fairway on 17.
Leading by one stroke to begin the day, Stroud started strong with three
birdies on the first six holes. He fought off a charge by eventual winner D.J.
Points, who birdied the first five holes, and another by Goosen, but the
double bogey was too much to overcome.
At stake for Stroud was a two-year PGA Tour exemption and a first place
check of $540,000. He wound up making only $90,000 and remains on the outside
looking in for entry into the majority of PGA Tour events. He is, however, in
the field for this week’s Shell Houston Open.
Points, whose last win was the 2013 SHO, finished at 20-under 268 after
closing with a 66. Stroud’s 71 left him four shots back at 272. Goosen, Byron
DeChambeau and Bill Lunde tied for second at 270.