Lyle goes close to maiden win in Louisiana
IN: News | Nationwide | Chitimacha Louisiana Open (2007) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 26 Mar 2007
Jarrod Lyle came close to winning his first event as a professional when he finished third behind Skip Kendall and Paul Claxton at the Chitimacha Louisiana Open, the first Nationwide Tour event of the year on US soil.
Lyle has had three runner up placings since turning professional just over two years ago but today when he took the lead outright in this event after 11 holes of the final round it appeared that this could be the week for the breakthrough. Lyle is actually a USPGA Tour member but like several others in his situation, took advantage of the opportunity to play this Nationwide Tour event while the World Golf Championship event was on in Miami.
Lyle's brilliant third round of 63 on the Robert Trent Jones designed Le Triomphe Country Club layout in Broussard, Louisiana, set up the possibility of victory. Two late birdies by both Kendall and Claxton today however saw them finish one ahead of the Victorian before Kendall secured victory with a birdie at the third extra hole.
Lyle is on the PGA Tour as a result of his fine rookie season on the Nationwide Tour in 2006 where he finished 18th. He has started his PGA Tour career in 2007 well, making the cut in four of the five events in which he has played although his best finish has been 35th at the Mayakoba Classic in Mexico.
This week's event will be of benefit in that in has put him in contention once again and has kept the momentum going while he awaits a start at this coming week's Shell Houston Open.
The win should ensure that Skip Kendall is well on his way back to the PGA Tour after having played that tour since 1993. It is the 42-year-old's third Nationwide Tour victory following on from two victories in 1994 when he played there after losing his USPGA Tour card in his rookie season. He has been four times runner up on the PGA Tour.
David McKenzie was 14th and Steve Bowditch will take a lot of encouragement from his weekend rounds of 68 and 67 to finish 19th.
Photo - Anthony Powter
