Southern Farm Bureau victory Trahan's first
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2006 Southern Farm Bureau Classic | Wrap | 02 Oct 2006
As the Southern Farm Bureau Classic wound to a close today there were several players for whom victory would make the world of difference. The three players closest to contention over the closing holes, D.J. Trahan, Joe Durant and Lee Janzen were all looking for wins that would either break a drought or see them win for the first time. In the case of D.J. Trahan, he would walk from the third hole of a two-way playoff victorious for the first time on the USPGA Tour.
Like Tiger Woods had done on the other side of the Atlantic, Trahan led this event at the completion of each round following his brilliant opening 65 on Thursday and, although headed on occasions, he fought back in the style of a player more experienced than he actually is at this level.
Trahan was one of the great amateurs in American golf prior to turning professional in 2003 but the much expected success on the PGA Tour has taken longer to materialise than many people thought. He was facing the prospect of a return to Tour School prior to this week but that thought can now be put on the backburner, at least for another two years.
In what developed into a three horse race over the closing few holes of the tournament, Janzen, Durant and Trahan all held the lead on their own at various stages before first Durant, then Trahan, finished at 13 under. Janzen had also reached 13 under before a bogey at the 17th, after finding the water with his tee shot, cost him a chance of a place in the playoff.
Janzen had another opportunity at the last but after a great tee shot at the par five he was long with his second and could only manage a par. Trahan had one last shot at the title in regulation but hit a poor tee shot and was forced to lay up. His putt from 20 feet missed and so it was to the playoff where he would eventually win with a birdie at the third extra hole after Durant had made two great birdies after laying up on the first two holes in extra time.
For Janzen this was an opportunity to win for the first time on the USPGA Tour since his US Open Championship victory in 1998 while for Durant it has been five years since his last win in what was a sensational season in 2001.
J.P Hayes was alone in fourth, while Glenn Day, and Bo Van Pelt and Ted Purdy all shared fifth place.
The best of the Australians was John Senden who was 39th, Steve Elkington 57th and Steve Bowditch, after a promising and encouraging start to the week, 78th.
The PGA Tour now moves east to Greensboro for the Chrylser Classic of Greensboro.
