David Muttitt delighted to advance to PGA Championship in stress-free fashion

SEASIDE, Calif. -- David Muttitt made this trip to the PGA Professional Championship at Bayonet a lot less stressful than it had been the past two years.

Muttitt, a 35-year-old from Los Altos Golf Course in Albuquerque, N.M., required a playoff for a spot inside the top 20 in both 2016 and 2017.

But not this time.

This time, Muttitt birdied his last three holes in the final round to finish the tournament with a 2-under 70. At 1-under 287, Muttitt finished tied for fourth -- his best result in six PPC appearances.

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"It feels good to get the packet (with PGA Championship information) as soon as you sign your scorecard," joked Muttitt. "The last two years I was in ridiculous playoffs and got through. I finished ninth in 2013 and I think this is going to be my best finish in this event."

Muttitt pulled to within one shot of the lead on his back nine, but bogeys on 13 and 15 backed him up. The bogey on 15 was especially hard to stomach since he missed a one-and-a-half-footer for par.

No worries, however. At 16, things started clicking and Muttitt made a mad dash to the finish.

"It was very satisfying to finish with three straight birdies, especially since I literally missed a one-and-a-half-footer on 15," he said. "To then finish one putt, one putt, one putt, it speaks to how strong I can be mentally at times... I finished strong. Second or 19th, it doesn't really matter. You make more money, I guess."