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Kristoffer Reitan has had to question whether he was going to get into the last two signature events. He no longer has to wonder.
The 28-year-old won the 2026 Truist Championship on Sunday, his first PGA Tour victory in his 15th start. He's the second player from Norway (Viktor Hovland) to win on Tour and did so shooting 2-under 69 in the final round at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, to beat Rickie Fowler and Nicolai Hojgaard by two shots.
"I don't have any words, to be honest," he told CBS' Amanda Balionis after the winning putt dropped. "This is way more than I expected and for it to happen this quickly is just unreal. Yeah, a dream come true."
After a T-2 finish at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans two weeks ago, Reitan was at home last week expecting a week off, but after a withdraw ahead of the Cadillac Championship, he moved up to first alternate and found himself in the field after Jake Knapp withdrew. He contended and ultimately finished 14th, doubling his last hole. He thought that took him out of the field this week.
Little did he know, it actually helped him get in. Alex Smalley jumped Reitan and moved into the Aon Swing 10, putting him in the field while Reitan then earned his spot in the field via the Aon Swing 5.
"For me it doesn't make any sense because I shouldn't be rewarded for having a bad hole, but I'll take it. I'll take a coincidence like that," Reitan said Saturday.
He started the final round one shot behind Alex Fitzpatrick, who with brother Matt defeated Reitan at the Zurich Classic to earn his PGA Tour card. And even last week, like Reitan, Fitzpatrick had some strong moments before a T-9 finish at the Cadillac.
The duo played junior golf in Europe and found themselves together in the final pair at the Truist on Sunday, though Fitzpatrick struggled out of the gate. He was 3 over after three holes and had battled back to be a shot behind Reitan with two holes to play, but a double on the par-3 17th took him out of contention.
"I'm disappointed not to have won, but I'm also really proud of myself for how I battled out there," Fitzpatrick said. "I was 3 over through 3 and then in my head I'm thinking I could shoot 81 here. So, yeah, I felt like I was super happy that I was very patient. Felt like the birdie I made were good ones. Just happy with the way I battled all day."
Reitan, meanwhile, went out in even par with a pair of birdies and bogeys. He took control with a pair of birdies on the 14th and 15th to take the outright lead, and then he conquered the Green Mile.
Other PGA Tour players to have their first career win at the Truist (formerly Wells Fargo) include Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Max Homa. Not a bad group to be a part of.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Truist Championship 2026: Kristoffer Reitan takes first PGA Tour win
Continue reading...
The 28-year-old won the 2026 Truist Championship on Sunday, his first PGA Tour victory in his 15th start. He's the second player from Norway (Viktor Hovland) to win on Tour and did so shooting 2-under 69 in the final round at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, to beat Rickie Fowler and Nicolai Hojgaard by two shots.
"I don't have any words, to be honest," he told CBS' Amanda Balionis after the winning putt dropped. "This is way more than I expected and for it to happen this quickly is just unreal. Yeah, a dream come true."
After a T-2 finish at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans two weeks ago, Reitan was at home last week expecting a week off, but after a withdraw ahead of the Cadillac Championship, he moved up to first alternate and found himself in the field after Jake Knapp withdrew. He contended and ultimately finished 14th, doubling his last hole. He thought that took him out of the field this week.
Little did he know, it actually helped him get in. Alex Smalley jumped Reitan and moved into the Aon Swing 10, putting him in the field while Reitan then earned his spot in the field via the Aon Swing 5.
"For me it doesn't make any sense because I shouldn't be rewarded for having a bad hole, but I'll take it. I'll take a coincidence like that," Reitan said Saturday.
He started the final round one shot behind Alex Fitzpatrick, who with brother Matt defeated Reitan at the Zurich Classic to earn his PGA Tour card. And even last week, like Reitan, Fitzpatrick had some strong moments before a T-9 finish at the Cadillac.
The duo played junior golf in Europe and found themselves together in the final pair at the Truist on Sunday, though Fitzpatrick struggled out of the gate. He was 3 over after three holes and had battled back to be a shot behind Reitan with two holes to play, but a double on the par-3 17th took him out of contention.
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"I'm disappointed not to have won, but I'm also really proud of myself for how I battled out there," Fitzpatrick said. "I was 3 over through 3 and then in my head I'm thinking I could shoot 81 here. So, yeah, I felt like I was super happy that I was very patient. Felt like the birdie I made were good ones. Just happy with the way I battled all day."
Reitan, meanwhile, went out in even par with a pair of birdies and bogeys. He took control with a pair of birdies on the 14th and 15th to take the outright lead, and then he conquered the Green Mile.
Other PGA Tour players to have their first career win at the Truist (formerly Wells Fargo) include Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Max Homa. Not a bad group to be a part of.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Truist Championship 2026: Kristoffer Reitan takes first PGA Tour win
Continue reading...
