Leonard wins again in Texas
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2007 Valero Texas Open | Round Four | 08 Oct 2007
Justin Leonard has a second to none record at the La Cantera Resort and today he further consolidated that record when he defeated Jesper Parnevik at the third extra playoff hole at the Valero Texas Open. Leonard’s record at this venue stands at three wins and a runner up placing.
There had been signs in the last couple of weeks that things were getting better for the Texan and given his comfort zone at the venue, it looked good for a return to winning form. It had been more than two years since Leonard had last won but if ever it was going to happen again, the planets were aligned for it to be this week.
Leonard started the final round four shots behind the tearaway Jesper Parnevik but was quickly out of the blocks with three early birdies and he had caught Parnevik by the time he had birdied the 6th hole.
While others had their chances, it became a two horse race over the closing nine holes as Parnevik and Leonard separated themselves from the chasing pack. Parnevik produced some amazing recoveries, more especially after he had hit a wild tee shot at the 15th but was still able to make birdie. He hit another poor tee shot at the 16th although this time he dropped a shot but at the 17th hit a great tee shot to six feet. When he made that he was back at 19 under and shared the lead with Leonard heading to the final hole.
Leonard’s three consecutive birdies from the 12th had him at 19 under par also but despite some very solid tee to green play over the closing holes he was unable to convert and secure the one extra birdie he needed to break clear. The playoff was again a case of Parnevik hitting a wild tee shot at the first extra hole but saving a miraculous par, however at the third extra hole, Leonard’s tee shot finished 12 feet from the hole and he finally made one to close it out.
The pair had finished three shots clear of Daniel Chopra and Mathias Gronberg who made it a good week for th Swedes on the PGA Tour when they finished in a share of third.
Parnevik’s round today was a little like his year overall – a rollercoaster. It has been more than six years since Parnevik won the last of his five USPGA Tour victories in 2001 and while he will be disappointed he was not able to convert the large lead he enjoyed at various stages throughout the week he will be consoled by the fact that he has avoided the need for a return to Tour School.
In his 14 year PGA Tour career he has been able to retain playing privileges each and every year but in 2007 things were not looking good until today. His second place cheque of US$486,000 has moved him into the safety zone.
Heath Slocum produced a brilliant final round of 62 to finish alone in 5th place.
The best of the Australians were Andrew Buckle and Mathew Goggin who finished 26th. For Buckle he remains in 142nd place on the money list and still has work to do in order for him to retain full playing privileges on the USPGA Tour. It is a position that perhaps he would not have been contemplated when the Queenslander led the Buick Invitational with six holes to go earlier in the year. It is important for Buckle to remain inside the top 150 as although that does not give him full status next season it will provide a certain number of starts. His last round of 65 and a several better weeks in recent starts does augur well for the last few events of the year.
Gavin Coles was 49th, Paul Gow 59th, Jarrod Lyle 64th and Michael Sim 70th.
The PGA Tour will now move top Las Vegas for this week’s Frys.com Open
