Sabbatini ‘Crowned’ after play-off
SOUTH African Rory Sabbatini dropped a five-metre birdie putt on the first play-off hole to win the US PGA Crowne Plaza Invitational today (AEST).
Sabbatini fittingly made his winning stroke to beat veterans Bernhard Langer and Jim Furyk in a downpour at an event that was halted the first three days by showers, forcing the entire field to finish the third round in the morning before fighting to an early evening conclusion.
World No.3 star Furyk, the only top-12 player contesting the event, missed a long birdie effort in the play-off, the third trip to the 18th hole for each man on the day.
Sabbatini followed with his clutch putt and when German star Langer, who turns 50 in August, missed his birdie bid, the $US1.08 million ($1.32 million) top prize went to Masters co-runner-up Sabbatini.
“It feels so good,” Sabbatini said. “I had a lot of friends here. Thank goodness I pulled through so we can celebrate.”
Furyk, Sabbatini and Langer each finished 72 holes on 14-under par 266 after firing final-round 67s in the afternoon.
Sabbatini completed an impressive 62, eight-under par, in the third round to pull into the lead logjam after three rounds with Furyk, Langer and US veteran Scott Verplank, who finished on 270 after a closing 71.
American Pat Perez was fourth on 268 with compatriot Tom Lehman and Australian Nathan Green on 269.
Agence France-Presse