Cejka wins maiden PGA Tour title
Alex Cejka recorded his first PGA Tour win on Sunday when he sank a 15-foot birdie putt at the first extra hole for victory in a five-way play-off at the Puerto Rico Open.
The 44-year-old German beat Americans Jon Curran, Tim Petrovic and Sam Saunders and Argentine Emiliano Grillo in a dramatic conclusion to the event.
Cejka’s bags were packed when he was called back after Curran and Grillo both failed to make par on the final hole at the Trump International course in Rio Grande.
They all finished at seven-under-par 281 to force the first five-man playoff on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson won the 2006 BellSouth Classic.
Cejka shot a closing 69 and was satisfied with what he had accomplished and was over the moon when he was called-back.
“I had everything ready to go to the airport and almost was very satisfied with a third-place finish,” Cejka told reporters.
“Suddenly it changed, and here I am. And I’m very, very pleased. I don’t think I’m going to sleep tonight.”
Cejka started the final round with four birdies in the first six holes and had only one blemish on the par-three 11th in an otherwise flawless day out.
“At least I can say I played PGA Tour for a long time and I won. That’s a good sentence I can use when I retire,” said the golfer who also has four European Tour titles to his name.
Grillo, playing on a sponsor exemption, perhaps had most to rue of the playoff losers after missing a short par putt for victory at the 72nd hole.
Saunders, the grandson of the legendary Arnold Palmer, also had cause for regret after missing a makeable birdie putt in the play-off.
Overnight leaders Chris Smith and Scott Brown both shot 73 to finish two strokes off the pace in a share of 10th place.
Latest
-
NewsVice-captain Graeme McDowell still has hopes of playing in another Ryder Cup
The Northern Irishman will be part of Europe’s bid to retain the trophy at Whistling Straits later this month.
-
NewsFleetwood ready to become villain of the piece as Europe bid to retain Ryder Cup
With coronavirus travel restrictions preventing large numbers of fans travelling, Padraig Harrington’s side are braced for a one-sided atmosphere.
-
NewsKristoffer Broberg ends ‘six years of hell’ with battling victory at Dutch Open
The Swede claimed his second European Tour title after finishing with a 72.
-
NewsIan Poulter: America’s rookies are in for nerve wracking Ryder Cup experience
Half of captain Steve Stricker’s side have never played in the biennial contest before.
-
NewsMcGinley wants Europe’s Ryder Cup players to forget about Koepka/DeChambeau feud
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes attempting to make capital from the spat could backfire.
-
NewsKristoffer Broberg eight shots clear at Dutch Open
The 35-year-old secured the course record at Bernardus Golf.
-
NewsSergio Garcia feeling rested and ready for Ryder Cup after wild card ‘gamble’
The Spaniard has won 25.5 points at the Ryder Cup.
-
NewsSweden’s Kristoffer Broberg holds a narrow halfway lead in the Dutch Open
Nine birdies helped him to a score of 64 in the second round at Bernardus Golf.
-
NewsAny rest for Rory and will practice make US perfect? – Ryder Cup talking points
The United States will be hoping to make the most of home advantage at Whistling Straits.
-
NewsNew-look USA aiming to reclaim Ryder Cup against experienced-packed Europe
Europe are the holders and have won seven of the last nine Ryder Cups, but United States boast eight of the world’s top 10 players and home advantage.