NOT EVERYTHING COMES IN THREES
They say everything comes in threes – but at the weekend they came in fours with four of golf’s five biggest professional tournaments going to sudden-death play-offs.
They say everything comes in threes – but at the weekend they came in fours with four of golf’s five biggest professional tournaments going to sudden-death play-offs.
In Europe, Padraig Harrington had to go to an extra hole against Welshman Bradley Dredge before he could become the first Irishman in 25 years to claim the Irish Open crown.
On the US PGA Tour, reigning Masters Champion Zach Johnson made it clear that he’s not going to be one of golf’s one-day wonders with a major title when he came from behind, caught Japan’s Ryuji Imada at the tape and then beat him in a sudden-death play-off to win the AT&T Classic at Sugarloaf in Georgia.
Lorena Ochoa, like Johnson, also had to come from behind to win the LPGA’s Sybase Classic and claim her first LPGA title since ousting Annika Sorenstam as Women’s World No 1 last month, but in her case she finished so strongly – three ahead of Sarah Lee and nine clear of third-placed Se Ri Pak – a play-off wasn’t necessary.
A third play-off was certainly necessary on the US Champion’s Tour where Brad Bryant had to go three extra holes to beat EW Eakes and pick up a back-to-back victory at the Regions Charity Classic
Finally a fourth playoff was necessary on the Ladies European Tour at the Deuscher Bank Swiss Open.
Here German Bettina Hauert had to birdie the 18th hole four times before she could defeat Spain’s Paula Marti and Australia’s Anna Rawson at the 4th extra hole for her first LET title.
Amazingly here could well have been a 5th play-off at the premier English stroke play championship for the Brabazon Trophy where Englishman Jaimie Moul, currently the highest ranked amateur in the world this year, tied with leading French amateur Romain Bechu.
To Moul’s disappointment no play-off was called for.
Was there something in our stratosphere this week or was it simply sheer coincidence that we had so many play-offs?
Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
Cheers
Neville Leck (the editor)
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