McGirt falls short at Sanderson, finishes one stroke behind Peter Malnati

The PGA Tour’s Sanderson Farms Championship is headed to a Monday finish after only 39 minutes of play in the second round in Mississippi on Saturday.

Torrential rain earlier in the week sent the event to a Monday finish on the saturated course, where preferred lies were allowed.

He shot a four-under 68 in his final round, but that was only enough for him to finish in a tie for fourth and two shots behind Malnati. “Let’s go hit a good putt just like you have been all week, mate”, before acknowledging that actually Malnati had taken the lead but had players behind him with a chance to at least force a playoff.

“It just kind of ran out of steam and fell off the hole instead of falling in for me”, said McGirt, who was also seeking his first win. “I was definitely happy”. I don’t really know what all I was feeling.

American Roberto Castro, who shot a 67 on Friday for a 15-under-par 129 total, holds a four stroke lead over compatriot Bryce Molder (67) and Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas (67). Malnati admitted he was briefly rattled, but started pushing at that 16-under goal again and got hot with birdies on Nos.

Malnati said on Sky Sports 4: “This year I don’t feel like I’m here as a surprise”. The victory continued a trend for younger winners: He’s the fifth first-time victor in five events this season.

This is Malnati’s second go-round on the PGA Tour.

Malnati said he had not been mentally ready for his first season on tour in 2014-15, but returned this time better prepared.

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