Greenbrier Classic on PGA Tour comes to conclusion, rookie Scott Stallings comes out on top
Another mainstream event on the PGA Tour, The Greenbrier Classic at the Old White, TPC White, Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, succumbed to the rampaging rookie brigade with Scott Stallings winning the event on the Playoff. The $6-million event attracted
a strong field of top ranking players from across the world where rookie Stallings posted his maiden victory on the tour and the sixth rookie-win for the season. He is also the 10th first-timers to win on the tour this season.
Stallings pulled in exceptional rounds on the second and third day, without dropping a single shot for the 36-hole stretch. Opening up his bid with a 70, he carded rounds of 65 and 66 and finally pulled in a final round of one-under, 69 to push for a three-way
Playoff with Bill Haas and Bob Estes.
Stallings dropped four consecutive shots on the front nine to fall behind but shot back into contention on the back nine with amazing resilience. He opened p his back nine with three straight birdies and carded two more before dropping a shot on par-five,
17th. He closed the final hole with a birdie to make his final push for the summit. He birdied the 18th again to win his first high profile event in the professional career.
“To be a champion in such a great event is a huge blessing,” Stallings said. “I've wanted to do this since I was a little kid. I was that little boy running around chasing autographs and yelling at guys because they wouldn't stop and sign my golf balls.”
After completing the final 18, Stallings ran all the way from the 18th green to the tee box, something he said he will never forget.
“Running from the back of the green to the tee to go to the playoff is something I'll never forget,” he said. “I've been working with a trainer for about a month, so he should be proud.”
Haas and Estes, two of the well established veterans on the tour, suffered a disappointing defeat and settled for second place. The 45-year-old Estes was in search of a long awaited victory and has not won a tournament since 2002.
“I felt like I did everything exactly right,” Estes said. “I just didn't make the birdie putt on 18.”
Phil Mickelson and Stuart Appleby were among the players who failed to make the cut while Anthony Kim and Jimmy Walker shot the lowest rounds of the event this year with a 62 on the third day.
The course at TPC Old White was stretched further to add another 200 yards to it after last year’s 59 shot by Appleby. Stallings bagged a winner’s cheque of $1,080,000 and precious 500 FedEx Cup Points.
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