Streb claims play-off victory

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October 27, 2014

Robert Streb was victorious at the McGladrey Classic after he finished ahead of Brendon de Jonge and Will MacKenzie in a play-off.

Streb reached a total of 14-under-par after 72 holes after a run of four straight birdies on the back nine en route to a seven-under-par 63 in the final round, while De Konge and MacKenzie carded 65 and 68 respectively.

After returning to the 18th tee for the first play-off hole, MacKenzie was eliminated when he bogeyed the hole after finding the greenside bunker with his approach.

On the second play-off hole – the par-three 17th – Streb sunk his birdie putt while De Jonge’s effort slipped past the edge of the cup to hand the American his first ever victory on the PGA Tour.

“The wait was a little nerve-wracking and those last two little putts I was pretty shaky. Very thrilled,” Streb admitted after the play-off.

“I was pretty nervous over those short putts, but managed to work it out, and things went in my favor.”

Last year’s winner Chris Kirk (67) finished in a tie for fourth place at 12-under, alongside Ken Duke (66), Kevin Kisner (65) and Russell Henley (69).

Another stroke further behind on 11-under were Mark Wilson (67), Fabian Gomez (68), Andrew Svoboda (71) and Kevin Chappell (65).

De Jonge moved into the early lead when he birdied the first three holes, but a string of pars on the back nine meant the Zimbabwean was unable to take the outright lead again in the closing stages of the round.

“I didn’t birdie the par-5 in regulation. I had a very easy bunker shot, but other than that, I didn’t leave much out there,” De Jonge said of his effort on the par-five 15th. ”

“What can you do? He hit a great shot, and as I said, it’s nice for him to have a birdie. It’s a good way to win the tournament.”

For his victory Streb earned $1.008 million, with his previous best finish on the PGA Tour occurring earlier this year at the Zurich Classic, where he finished in a tie for second place.