Fresh Express Classic at TPC Stonebrae wraps up with luck favouring Daniel Chopra
Andrew Buckle, Russell Knox, and Mathew Goggin, who were sharing the lead until the second round of the Fresh Express Classic at TPC Stonebrae in San Francisco, were taken down by Daniel Chopra’s shining luck when he lifted the title as the final day’s proceedings
were cancelled in view of prevailing fog.
Chopra’s record breaking 9-under for 61 in the third round, the best on the course, lifted him to the top slot. Chopra finished off with a 12-under for 198 on the aggregate, one shot better than the runners-up Russell Knox and Luke List.
First and second round’s leader, Buckle finished tied for 14th with his disappointing round on the third day when he scored 1-over for 72.
Knox probably turned out to be the most unfortunate after having played brilliantly in all three rounds. He was one shot behind Buckle in the first round, shared the lead in the second and scored another impressive 4-under for 66 on the third day. Knox missed
a birdie putt on the final hole on the third round which ultimately took its toll on the fog stricken final round’s results.
“I'm not sure how things would have turned out today,” said the Scottish-born Knox. “I really had no idea. I just tried to play to see how well I could do. I was playing well and thinking that maybe I had a chance to win.”
Chopra, who had failed to make the cut at the season opener, The Panama Claro Championship, also earned a sum of $108,000 as the winner’s share and soared to no. 3 on the Money List. This is Chopra’s third title on the tour, after he first won on the tour
in 2004 Henrico County Open and again in 2008 at the Mercedes-Benz Championship.
Fourth-Round Results
This is how the leaderboard looked on the fourth day.
1. Daniel Chopra even today -12 thru 7
1. Russell Knox -1 today -12 thru 7
3. Garrett Sapp -4 today -10 thru 11
3. Luke List +1 today -10 thru 7
5. Mathew Goggin -1 today -9 thru 8
5. Erik Compton -1 today -9 thru 8
5. Marco Dawson -1 today -9 thru 8
Mathew Goggin, who has won thrice on the tour and Is also the reigning champion of this year’s season opener Panama Claro Championship, tied for the fourth spot but has earned enough to top the Money List overtaking Brendan Pappas. Goggin earned $23,625
for the fourth place.
Tournament Director, Orlando Pope also spoke on the prize distribution ceremony, “It was shaping up to be quite a finish. A lot of people worked very hard this week. Unfortunately our Tour has a very limited provision for pushing play into Monday, but that
option wasn't available to us.”
Nationwide Tour will now move on to South Georgia Classic scheduled from April 25.
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