Children's Miracle Network Classic 2010; Garrigus claims the victory
Robert Garrigus fired 64 and declared a victory at the Children's Miracle Network Classic 2010.
Magnolia Golf Course, which is situated near Lake Buena Vista in Florida was ablaze on the final day as a battle started between three men; Rickie Fowler, Robert Garrigus and Roland Thatcher. Despite a tough competition, Garrigus broke free
and declared three strokes win on the other two. Thatcher faltered at par, whereas, Fowler smashed a fabulous 66 to grab a share in third.
The Sunday session started with Thatcher in the lead. The player had posted two-under-par in the third round with the help of six birdies. However, one early bogey in the front-nine and two closing bogeys shot him down to a negligible margin.
Identical score was shot by Garrigus, who too suffered at the hands of bogeys.
However, the final day turned out to be a total blast. Garrigus took his turn on the front nine and composed a score of five-under. The 33-year-old fired four successive birdies starting from the second hole. The early birdie fiesta shuttered
him into lead over rest of the field except Thatcher. To battle the last man on the field, Garrigus picked up three more birdies at the back nine and surged into lead to grab a share in $4,700,000.
Commenting on his lead the runner-up from St Jude Classic said, “It feels so good to finish this off," Garrigus said afterwards. "I said I wasn't going to finish it off the same way as last time. It unbelievable. It's great to know I will still be fine regardless
of what happens out here."
In early 2010, Garrigus shot into three-stroke lead at St Jude Classic, but lost the playoff on the last hole. With a gap of six months, the player finally got a chance to redeem the terrible memory with a glorious victory. The winner was pleased with his
achievement, but on the other hand, Thatcher felt the same blow, which once was experienced by Garrigus.
Thatcher picked up three birdies to surge into temporary lead after the 11th hole. However, in no time, he gave the edge back after missing three shots in the back nine. Despite of losing the chance to claim a victory, Thatcher secured the card
for next year.
"You will never see a happier guy who just vomited away a tournament than I am right now. I've got nothing but happiness for not having to go through 'q-school' and being fully exempt on tour for next year,” acclaimed the runner-up.
There came a moment when Thatcher shared the second spot with Spencer Levin. The American, birdied the 17th to fall into contention, but missed a par-putt at the last hole to fall behind. The player who was fourth in Justin Timberlake Shriners
Hospital for Children Open grabbed a share in third.
He shared the spot with Rickie Fowler and Johnson Wagner. Fowler, who was seen teeing off in orange, picked up six birdies to produce second lowest score of the day. The 21-year-old gave a superb performance in the four-day session, although he slipped from
his pace in the third round.
2009 US Open winner, Stewart Cink grabbed a share in the 19th place, whereas, Troy Merritt claimed the Kodak Challenge by birdying the final hole for the second time.
Children's Miracle Network Classic officially sealed the PGA Tour 2010. Robert Garrigus marked the last tournament of the season close by carding a victory of three strokes over Roland Thatcher. The tournament took place at Magnolia and Palm Courses in Walt
Disney Resort and speculations hold that the venue will be the host for next year event as well.
Tags: