Mediate stuns with ‘insane’ finish
For the fourth round in a row, Rocco Mediate holed out for an eagle – and this one won him the Frys.com Open in California.
Rocco Mediate claimed his first PGA Tour victory since 2002 on Sunday after an extraordinary finish in the Frys.com Open at Corde Valle Golf Club in San Martin, California.
Mediate looked to have squandered his three-shot overnight lead after playing the first 12 holes of his final round in five over par.
But the 47-year-old American then birdied the par-three 16th and holed out with his approach to the 17th for an eagle two.
It was the fourth time in four straight rounds that Mediate had holed a full shot for an eagle during the week, and it was even more remarkable this time, given what had gone before.
Just seconds earlier, playing partner Alex Prugh had almost holed his tee shot on the reachable par four for an albatross, leaving himself a tap-in for eagle which looked like giving him a share of the lead.
Mediate had other ideas however, but had the good grace to shrug in disbelief and mouth “What the hell is going on?” after holing his approach from 116 yards, the ball spinning back into the cup.
The drama was not yet complete, with Prugh and Bo van Pelt both admirably making birdie on the 18th to leave Mediate facing a four-foot par putt for the win.
Mediate held his nerve to complete a closing round of 73 for a winning total of 15 under par, one clear of Prugh and Van Pelt.
Ryder Cup star Rickie Fowler, who lost a play-off for the same tournament last year, was a shot further back after a 69.
A stunned Mediate said afterwards: “It’s insane. I was having a tough time today with the weather, it was busting me up, and then I got a little angry.
“On seventeen I had Alex mark his ball and when mine went in it was the same reaction as on previous days, ‘Are you kidding me?”‘
Latest
-
European TourDavid Law tames the Green Monster course to move into contention in Hamburg
The Scot fired an eagle and eight birdies in a seven-under-par 66, a nine-shot improvement on his opening 75.
-
PGA TourRory McIlroy bounces back to form in the Memorial Tournament
At four under par McIlroy was three shots off the early clubhouse lead.
-
PGA TourMatt Wallace one stroke behind lead after first day of PGA Memorial in Ohio
Matt Wallace and Danny Willett are sitting second and equal-third respectively after the first day of the Memorial.
-
Ryder CupI don’t think LIV golfers should be on European Ryder Cup team – Rory McIlroy
American players remain eligible despite being banned or resigning from the PGA Tour in the wake of joining the Saudi-funded circuit.
-
European TourBrendan Lawlor and Kim Moore excited for next week’s Scandinavian Mixed event
The pair won the men’s and women’s titles at the G4D Open at Woburn earlier this month.
-
PGA TourEmiliano Grillo claims second PGA tour title in Texas
It was Emiliano Grillo’s first PGA Tour win in over seven years.
-
NewsPablo Larrazabal to follow Miguel Angel Jimenez after KLM Open win in forties
Larrazabal celebrated the milestone by winning his ninth DP World Tour title and second in just four weeks.
-
NewsHarry Hall bounces back from double blow to keep share of lead
Cornish rookie heads into final round tied at the top with American Adam Schenk.
-
PGA TourHarry Hall opens three-stroke halfway lead at Charles Schwab Challenge
The Cornish rookie is chasing his first PGA Tour win after opening round of 62.
-
PGA TourEngland’s Harry Hall takes three-shot lead in Texas with career-best outing
He picked up eight birdies without dropping a shot and managed to save par from 15 and 30 feet.