Johnson defends, Leishman 5th in Texas
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2009 Valero Texas Open | Round Four | 18 May 2009
Zach Johnson successfully defended his Valero Texas Open title, seven months after his win last year, when he edged out James Driscoll by holing a 12 foot birdie putt at the first extra hole.
With the event being played in a new time slot this year, the tournament is now part of the FedEx Cup series and as a result of his victory Johnson moves to the top of the FedEx Cup points table ahead of long time leader Geoff Ogilvy.
Any one of seven or eight players had their chance to win over the closing nine holes. Driscoll had finished his round 90 minutes prior to the final group of Johnson, Justin Leonard and long time leader, Paul Goydos reaching the 18th tee.
Goydos had three putted from just off the green for bogey at the 17th and he and Johnson both stood on the par four 18th tied with Driscoll. Goydos pulled his approach and took bogey while Johnson’s second finished 12 feet from the hole giving himself a chance to win the event outright. He missed but 15 minutes later the title was his.
Driscoll was looking for his first PGA Tour victory and the chance to break free of the non-exempt status he has on the PGA Tour but it was not to be.
Driscoll, who finished runner up at the US Amateur and was a Walker Cup player in his amateur days, plays with limited exemption on the PGA Tour courtesy of finishing 141st on last year’s money list. He was unable to improve that position at the Tour School last year and takes his chances in limited starts in 2009.
Mind you the US$658,000 will go a long way towards a top 125 position at year’s end. The last day 62 will also play a big role in building his confidence for the weeks ahead.
Goydos tied for third with Bill Haas while Brian Davis, Justin Leonard, Frederik Jacobson and Autsralian Marc Leishman tied for 5th.
Leishman had his chances in today’s final round but a three putt bogey at the 17th would prove costly. Earlier he had birdied four of his first seven holes and at that point a maiden win in his rookie PGA Tour season was looking to be a real possibility. He dropped two shots early in his back nine but the 25-year-old bounced back with birdies at the 12th and 14th to rekindle his hopes. The bogey at 17 put paid to any winning hopes but the cheque for US$214,000 will provide both a monetary and confidence boost.
After an encouraging start to the season Leishman had lost his way in recent weeks but this result gets things back on track.
James Nitties had a good week at 17th, Matt Jones was 32nd, Aron Price 47th, Greg Chalmers 57th, and Nathan Green 71st.
