‘Whirlwind:' PGA Tour rookie's unexpected week at Doral could change his entire season

A good and unexpected week at Doral could change everything for Kristoffer Reitan Getty Images Kristoffer Reitan’s initial plans for this week didn’t include teeing it up at the Cadillac Championship . In fact, his caddie, Tim Poyser, flew back home to Scotland early in the week, figuring his boss wouldn’t make it off the alternate list and into the $20 million, no-cut Signature Event. But fate had different ideas.

When Patrick Cantlay withdrew early in the week with an illness, Reitan moved to first alternate. He made it into the field when Jake Knapp withdrew prior to his tee time on Thursday with a wrist injury. Reitan didn’t arrive at Trump National Doral until Wednesday and didn’t even get a look at the full 18 before making it into the field on Thursday.

Poyser tried to hightail it from Scotland to Florida but had a flight issue and missed the first round. Reitan’s swing coach, Denny Lucas, subbed in on Thursday, and the Norwegian fired a 2-under 70. He backed that up with a bogey-free 68 on Friday to vault into contention.

A Saturday 69 followed, and Reitan will enter Sunday’s final round tied for second place, but six shots back of lead Cameron Young. “It’s been a little bit of a whirlwind, emotionally, this week,” Reitan said Saturday after his round. “Just mainly happy to be here and get a chance in one of the Signature Events.