Mark Wiebe outcasts James Mason on Playoff hole to win Greater Hickory Classic on Champions Tour
Veteran player on the Champions Tour, Mark Wiebe pulled in an amazing stock pile of seven birdies in his perfect round on the final day, to win the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn on Sunday, June 12.
The tournament turned out to be one of the most tightly contested events on the Champions Tour when Weibi won the title on the third Playoff hole, taking over Monday qualifier, James Mason.
A record 1,147 birdies were carded in the three day event, where the players battered the extreme hot conditions on the weekend. Wiebe posted a final round of seven-under, 65 to win on the tour after 2008. The player has had a brilliant season so far as
he has made the cut in all of the events and finished runner-up in the Toshiba Classic in March.
"A win would have meant everything. It would have been the culmination of my career," said Mason. "That probably would have given me another year and a half out here. I still get a nice check, but a win would have been a total redo of my career again. But
hopefully I'll get one."
For Mason, however, it was a sad ending. The 60-year-old was looking for a change of career at the twilight of his sporting life and a win would have ensured a tour card for the rest of the season. He last won a title in 2002, after which he lost his playing
status due to his consecutive bad form.
"I feel for James," Wiebe said. "I'm tickled to have won this tournament, beside myself, so happy. I'm sorry for James that's the way it happened for him. He played great this week."
Mason also had a splendid final day where he carded seven birdies in his bogey-free round but dropped a shot on the third Playoff hole.
Fred Funk, who has already qualified for the US Open this week via sectional qualifying round, had a whirlwind tournament so far where he posted final round of 10-under, 62. He had posted opening rounds of 69 and 67 to finish for joint third with Chip Beck,
one shot behind the leader.
Wiebe also bagged a winner’s prize money of $262,500.
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