Kevin Na cruises to four-shot victory at Colonial

Kevin Na birdied four of the first eight holes and shot a four-under-par 66 to cruise to a four-shot victory over Tony Finau at Colonial on Sunday.

The South Korean-born American opened with a two-shot lead and was in front by at least that many for the final 16 holes after putting his second shot inside of five feet for birdie at the par-four second. Na finished 13 under.

Na’s third career PGA Tour victory, and second in 10 months, came after putting himself in contention with a second-round 62, one off the Colonial record. It was his third score at least that good in a span of six on the cozy course made famous by Ben Hogan.

Local favorite Jordan Spieth’s strong putting disappeared in a two-over 72 as the Dallas native finished eight shots back to remain without a victory since his third major title at the 2017 British Open.

Jim Furyk’s hopes faded when the 2003 U.S. Open champion went in the water for double bogey at the par-three 13th on the way to a 73. The 17-time tour winner’s last title was at Hilton Head in 2015.

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Finau briefly was within a shot of Na early in the round, and the first-round leader was two back when Na birdied 14 about the same time Finau had a bogey at 16 to push the lead to four. Finau, looking for his second career win three years after his first, closed with a 68.

It’s the first time since 2002-03 that consecutive Colonials were decided by more than one stroke. Defending champion Justin Rose, who won by three and was the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 3 this year, had his third score of par or worse, shooting 70 to finish five over.

Law rules at LPGA event

Bronte Law shot a three-under 67 and held off a series of challengers to win the Pure Silk Championship by two shots for her first career victory on the LPGA Tour.

The 24-year-old Englishwoman, a former star at UCLA, held a share of the lead after all four rounds and finished with a 17-under 267 total on the River Course at the Kingsmill Resort.

Madelene Sagstrom, Brooke Henderson and third-round co-leader Nasa Hataoka tied for second. Sagstrom shot 66, Henderson 68 and Hataoka 69.

Law, who came from 10 shots back on the last day to get into a playoff in the LPGA Mediheal Championship three weeks ago in Daly City, California, had managed six straight pars on the back nine before a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-four 16th doubled her lead. Two-putt pars on the last two holes capped the victory in her 56th career start.