Just two weeks after Rory Sabbatini captured major headlines for his outspoken opinion on Tiger Woods, Sabbatini defeated Jim Furyk and Bernard Langer in a one hole playoff to capture the Crowne Plaza Colonial and don the winner’s plaid jacket. Over the past few years, the outspoken Sabbatini has drawn much criticism and scrutiny from both media and fans for his behavior and comments. However, his performance on Sunday left no room for debate about his desire to win and talent. The rain in the area combined with the lift clean and place rule mitigated the hard and fast conditions expected at Colonial helping players avoid the thick rough by holdingthe narrow fairways and small greens. Intermittent showers throughout the week forced the completion of the third round early Sunday morning but that did not have any effect on Sabbatini who carded a 62, nearly breaking the course record. All three players Sabbatini, Furyk and Langer shot 67 in the final round to find their way into the tournament’s first ever three man playoff.
For much of the day, Sabbatini held the lead and thanks to a back nine played at -2 he found himself with the lead. Bernard Langer’s four foot birdie putt after a precise nine-iron approach at 17 combined with a remarkable up and down par save at 18 after a wayward tee shot helped preserve the 49 year old’s opportunity to become the sixth oldest player to ever win a tournament on the PGA Tour. Playing two groups ahead, Jim Furyk shot -3 on the back nine with birdies on 10, 12, and 16 to post the final score to beat of -14.
On the first playoff hole, the 433 yard 18th, all three players found themselves on the green with birdie opportunities. Furyk’s forty foot putt went just past the right edge of the hole and finished two feet away. Sabbatini then lined up his birdie putt and confidently walked it into the center of the hole as his fifteen footer found the bottom of the cup. Bernard Langer, last to putt, ran his twelve footer just past the edge of he hole and with that miss, Rory Sabbatini earned his fourth PGA Tour victory. "It feels so good," Sabbatini said. "I had a lot of friends here. Thank goodness I pulled through so we can celebrate."
Photo: AP Photo/Donna McWilliam