Golf: Thomas wins WGC-Bridgestone

(ANSA) - Rome, August 6 - American Justin Thomas has won the WGC-Bridgestone golf Championship and is back in second place in the world ranking. Thomas celebrated his third success of the season as he prepares to defend his US PGA Championship tile (August 9-12) in the fourth and last Major of the year.
    In Akron, Ohio, the 25-year-old from Louisville scored a four-shot victory ahead of fellow American Kyle Stanley.
    He finished at 15-under 265, while Stanley carded 68 for second place on 11 under. Thomas won as his family watched, including his grandfather, a former professional golfer who played at the Firestone Country Club a PGA Tour tournament in 1960.
    Commenting the victory, the golfer said it felt "awesome" and was among the greatest of his career given the importance of the tournament and that he had played in front of the "most important people of my life".
    The American celebrated the first victory in one of the four tournaments of the WCG, the mini world tour.
    At the tournament, Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen (winner of the 75th edition of the Italian Open) and American Dustin Johnson (the number-one ranked golfer in the world) tied third.
    Johnson played very well through the first 10 holes - and tied the course record, shared by three others, with a 29 on the front nine - but did not shine in the final eight holes. The end result was a 6-under 64 for the 34-year-old American.
    Fellow American Brooks Koepka ended fifth (271, -9) while Tiger Woods (280, par) and Francesco Molinari (281, +1) finished respectively in 31st and 39th place.