They say 13 is unlucky for some – and it proved to be the case for David Toms as he chased his 13th PGA Tour title at The Players Championship.
In a weekend which has already seen a Friday the 13th and Darren Clarke claim his 13th European Tour victory, Toms smashed home a lengthy putt at the last to finish on 13-under.
But the American wasn’t alone as KJ Choi weathered the Florida storms to take the American veteran to a playoff – and it was the South Korean who was celebrating at the first extra hole, the 17th, after Toms three-putted from 15 feet to hand the title to his opponent.
It was a long day for Choi, having woken up early to complete a third-round 67 due to Saturday’s inclement weather to trail Graeme McDowell by one heading into the final round
But while the Ulsterman faded with a nightmare final round 79, Choi carded a 2-under 70 to match Toms’ at the summit.
But the event ended in unforeseen circumstances when the 2001 US PGA champion missed a 3-foot par putt on the first extra hole – the daunting 17th – to hand the ‘Tank’ his first PGA Tour victory in more than three years.
For some reason I felt so comfortable out there,” said Choi, the first Asian to win the Ponte Vedra Beach flagship event. “The swing I have right now just doesn’t break down under pressure situations.
“I was able to be precise and aggressive and keep my rhythm together and that is what brought this performance.”
The 40-year-old, cheered home by six adoring Nashville fans sporting ‘Choi’s Bois’ t-shirts, maintained his impressive recent record in America with four top-10s in his last four starts.
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen [Choi’s Bois],” he added. “For them to fly all the way over just because they like me as a player and to support me the way that they did, I’m very appreciative.
“I just didn’t want to let them down, so it was a very good thing to see.”
2008 runner-up Paul Goydos finished third at 11-under, one shot ahead of in-form duo Luke Donald and Nick Watney, while a quintet of players shared sixth at 9-under.
A resurgent Sergio Garcia, champion three years ago, shot a best of the day 65 to race into tied 12th.
In a weekend which has already seen a Friday the 13th and Darren Clarke claim his 13th European Tour victory, Toms smashed home a lengthy putt at the last to finish on 13-under.
But the American wasn’t alone as KJ Choi weathered the Florida storms to take the American veteran to a playoff – and it was the South Korean who was celebrating at the first extra hole, the 17th, after Toms three-putted from 15 feet to hand the title to his opponent.
It was a long day for Choi, having woken up early to complete a third-round 67 due to Saturday’s inclement weather to trail Graeme McDowell by one heading into the final round
But while the Ulsterman faded with a nightmare final round 79, Choi carded a 2-under 70 to match Toms’ at the summit.
But the event ended in unforeseen circumstances when the 2001 US PGA champion missed a 3-foot par putt on the first extra hole – the daunting 17th – to hand the ‘Tank’ his first PGA Tour victory in more than three years.
For some reason I felt so comfortable out there,” said Choi, the first Asian to win the Ponte Vedra Beach flagship event. “The swing I have right now just doesn’t break down under pressure situations.
“I was able to be precise and aggressive and keep my rhythm together and that is what brought this performance.”
The 40-year-old, cheered home by six adoring Nashville fans sporting ‘Choi’s Bois’ t-shirts, maintained his impressive recent record in America with four top-10s in his last four starts.
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen [Choi’s Bois],” he added. “For them to fly all the way over just because they like me as a player and to support me the way that they did, I’m very appreciative.
“I just didn’t want to let them down, so it was a very good thing to see.”
2008 runner-up Paul Goydos finished third at 11-under, one shot ahead of in-form duo Luke Donald and Nick Watney, while a quintet of players shared sixth at 9-under.
A resurgent Sergio Garcia, champion three years ago, shot a best of the day 65 to race into tied 12th.
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