Petrovic emerges victorious in New Orleans
IN: News | US PGA | Zurich Classic of New Orleans (2005) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 02 May 2005
As the leaders in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans headed into the final nine holes of the event, four players appeared to have separated themselves from the rest of the field. Of most interest was whether it would be the experienced and gritty Chris DiMarco who would go on to win or whether the three others in contention, all non-USPGA Tour winners, would break the ice.
When Lucas Glover and Tim Petrovic both bogeyed the 17th to allow DiMarco and James Driscoll the luxury of a one shot cushion over the closing two holes it appeared, despite the fact the par five 18th lay ahead for all, that the latter pair had control of the tournament.
Petrovic, now in his 4th season on the USPGA Tour, had been twice runner up and this was too good a chance to let slip an opportunity again. His third to the 72nd hole from some 120 yards came to rest twenty feet short and the putt never looked like missing as he forced himself into a share of the lead with DiMarco and Driscoll at that stage. Glover never really gave himself a chance at the last, his third from just 100 yards coming up 30 feet short. His two putt for par would seal his fate, namely a share of third place.
Both DiMarco and Driscoll were left with shots from 110 and 125 yards respectively with DiMarco first to go and attacking with a club to get it all the way back to the top level. He pulled it slightly left but was only fifteen feet from the hole. Driscoll hit his third straight down the flag but came up five feet short after nearly hopping in the hole before spinning back. DiMarco hit his first putt way too hard and when he couldn't make his return it was left to Driscoll to end it there and then. He couldn't, missing the putt which would have meant so much to him.
Back to the 18th tee for both Petrovic and Driscoll and both players were again faced with short irons from the fairway to set up birdie opportunities. Driscoll was first to go and with what appeared to be a wrong club, hit a reported pitching wedge just on the front edge of the green leaving a rollercoaster 60 footer to negotiate. Petrovic too was a little short although not to the extent of Driscoll and was faced with a thirty footer for his birdie. Driscoll ran his first putt ten feet by the hole and missed the return leaving Petrovic with his four footer for his first and career changing win. He made it and was quickly into the arms of his wife and two daughters who were greenside to share this momentous occasion.
For Petrovic go the spoils of victory on the USPGA Tour but for Driscoll, he showed enough to suggest that he will be winning before long. He possesses a beautiful golf swing that had already seen him make the final of the 2000 US Amateur. He has taken a while to move to the next level in the professional arena but the measured progress he has made, including a win on the Nationwide Tour in 2004, perhaps reflects a young man building some rather solid blocks on which to go to make further progress.
With this one finish he has gone from wondering where his next start is coming from to being assured of full status once again in 2006 and the opportunity to enjoy the ride a little more. His swing is so pure that it is hard to imagine there will not be another performance such as this before long, especially with the confidence he has gained as a result of this week. His big improvement this week came in his accuracy stats and he will have learned from what appeared to be an ordinary decision at the last.
DiMarco had to settle for a near miss yet again. He will no doubt be asking himself the question as to why he hasn't been able to get across the line more often when he has been in a position to do so on such a regular basis. He has had ten runner-up placings and just the three wins but it should be remembered that two of those second placings in recent times were in events such as the PGA and the Masters so just getting oneself into that position is an achievement in itself. He lost this event by perhaps being too aggressive with his approach to the 72nd hole and it is hard to criticise him for that.
Lucas Glover shared third with DiMarco and the 25-year-old's emergence this season is quite noteworthy. This was his fifth top ten in just nine starts in 2005 and he appears to be settling into life on the USPGA Tour after an indifferent first season.
The defending champion Vijay Singh fell away late in his recommenced third round dropping three shots in his last two holes and even though he birdied the first hole in round four, the deficit was too great and he would eventually finish 21st.
The Australians were headed by Brendan Jones who finally put it together over the four rounds when finishing 14th. He has struggled in his rookie season but his effort this week and the confidence it brings will be a great boost. His problem of course at this stage of his career is securing ongoing starts and even next week, the week where he could use a follow up while on the improve, he has to await a start from the reserve bench.
Robert Allenby and Scott Hend were 47th and Brad Hughes 79th.
The USPGA Tour now heads to Charlotte in North Carolina for the Wachovia Championship.
