Westwood ends PGA drought with St Jude win
Source: Agencies |
June 15, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
LEE Westwood benefited from a nightmare finish in regulation by American Robert Garrigus to end a 12-year title drought on the PGA Tour with a gripping playoff victory at the St Jude Classic in Memphis on Sunday.
The British world No. 3 calmly drained a five-foot birdie putt at the fourth extra hole at the TPC Southwind to edge out Swede Robert Karlsson, who had been seeking a maiden win on the US circuit. The Englishman threw his putter to the ground as his ball disappeared into the heart of the cup before he pumped his right fist in celebration.
It was Westwood's first victory in the US since the 1998 New Orleans Classic and his fifth top-10 finish in just eight PGA Tour starts this season, including a runner-up spot behind Phil Mickelson at the US Masters in April.
Garrigus was desperately unfortunate to exit the playoff after bogeying the first extra hole where a booming three-wood off the tee ended up behind a tree from where he had to chip out sideways on to the fairway.
The trio had finished the 72 regulation holes on 10-under-par 270. Westwood closed with a two-under 68, Karlsson carded a 69 and overnight leader Garrigus, three ahead playing the last, triple-bogeyed the 18th for a 71.
Shaun Micheel, winner of the 2003 PGA championship, shot a 67 and finished tied with Garrett Willis (67) for fourth at 271.
On another steamy day, golfers, fans and caddies wore maroon ribbons pinned to their caps in a show of support on what could be the final round for an event that first started in 1958, unless organizers find a new sponsor by their own deadline of September 15.
The British world No. 3 calmly drained a five-foot birdie putt at the fourth extra hole at the TPC Southwind to edge out Swede Robert Karlsson, who had been seeking a maiden win on the US circuit. The Englishman threw his putter to the ground as his ball disappeared into the heart of the cup before he pumped his right fist in celebration.
It was Westwood's first victory in the US since the 1998 New Orleans Classic and his fifth top-10 finish in just eight PGA Tour starts this season, including a runner-up spot behind Phil Mickelson at the US Masters in April.
Garrigus was desperately unfortunate to exit the playoff after bogeying the first extra hole where a booming three-wood off the tee ended up behind a tree from where he had to chip out sideways on to the fairway.
The trio had finished the 72 regulation holes on 10-under-par 270. Westwood closed with a two-under 68, Karlsson carded a 69 and overnight leader Garrigus, three ahead playing the last, triple-bogeyed the 18th for a 71.
Shaun Micheel, winner of the 2003 PGA championship, shot a 67 and finished tied with Garrett Willis (67) for fourth at 271.
On another steamy day, golfers, fans and caddies wore maroon ribbons pinned to their caps in a show of support on what could be the final round for an event that first started in 1958, unless organizers find a new sponsor by their own deadline of September 15.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
