Furyk benefits from Davis' honesty at Heritage
Jim Furyk denied Brian Davis a maiden win at the Verizon Heritage in unusual circumstances yesterday, the Englishman calling a penalty on himself during a play-off between the pair and so incurring a two-stroke deduction that handed Furyk victory.
The pair had both finished on 13-under on the Harbour Town Golf Links course, Furyk coming in two-under before Davis drew level with an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th to make things all square. Davis might have won earlier, were it not for some errant putting on the 15th and 16th that led to bogeys on both holes.
When the pair returned to the 18th hole for the playoff, Davis' ball quickly found a hazard, and in truth from that moment Furyk always looked the most likely winner, with just a five-foot putt needed to clinch victory.
But when Davis chose to play from the hazard rather than take a drop shot, he chipped the ball onto the green, and in doing so his club touched a loose bit of reed during the backswing - a move that is technically an infraction, since rule 13.4 forbids players from moving loose impediments.
Rules are rules, and so Davis called attention to his folly, and was promptly docked two strokes for the mistake, making victory for Furyk a formality - although Davis immediately conceded the game anyway.
"It was one of those things I thought I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. And I thought we'd check on TV, and indeed there was movement," Davis commented, while a faintly sheepish Furyk added "It's just awkward to see it happen at such a key moment in the golf tournament. Awkward for him to lose that way, and a little awkward for me to win."
Earlier, another Englishman had come reasonably close to catching Furyk, Luke Donald finishing three strokes behind the American and tying for third place with a final round that included six birdies - and five bogeys. Paul Casey finished less impressively, tying for 22nd place on five-under.
Up and coming Rickie Fowler continued to dazzle and befuddle in equal measure, tying for eighth place on eight-under after hitting an eagle and five birdies on the front nine - and then racking up three bogeys in a row on the 10th, 11th and 12th.
But the spotlight belonged to both Davis and Furyk, even if the manner of victory wasn't to either pair's liking. After a poor showing at the Masters, this was a shot in the arm for the American, who climbs to No. 5 in the world now. Furyk has only won one major, the US Open in 2003 - might his game be coming together in time for another crack at that prize this June at Pebble Beach?
While Furyk ponders that question, Davis is very likely wondering if he'll ever win anything on the PGA Tour. He should worry - second place netted him a handsome $615,000 (just over £400,000) yesterday. And we're sure the prize of $1,026,000 (£670,000) makes up for Furyk's slightly tainted win, too.
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