Imada wins AT&T in playoff
IN: News | US PGA | AT&T Classic (2008) | Round Four | by Bruce Young | 19 May 2008
Ryuji Imada confirmed some very good early 2008 season form when he defeated Kenny Perry in a one hole playoff to win his maiden event on the USPGA Tour, the AT&T Classic. Imada has previously shown a liking for the Sugarloaf layout near Atlanta, having finished runner up to Zach Johnson last year and good finishes in 2005 and 2006.
Imada first made it to the PGA Tour in 2005 following a brilliant season on the Nationwide Tour in 2004. A two time winner on the Nationwide Tour, Imada had gone close to breaking through at this higher level on a number of occasions.
He appeared a good chance this week on a golf course where he has played well previously and coming off a run of form that had included two runner-up finishes in 2008.
He had struggled a little in recent weeks but despite a slow start this week he moved into contention with a third round 66 and then powered home over the closing nine holes in 32 today to catch Perry, who was playing in the group behind.
Perry, who had played so well for 54 holes at last week’s Players Championship, was unable to birdie the par five last and so the pair headed back to the 18th tee to play the dangerous but tempting 18th once again. Perry was on the fairway with his tee shot while Imada was along the right hand rough line but safe. Perry was first to play and blocked his second right, perhaps determined not to find the water but a lone tree 20 yards right of the green would have its say in the outcome. His second hit the tree and ricocheted across the green into the water.
Imada, with the knowledge of Perry’s fate to assist his decision making process, pitched down the fairway leaving himself just over 100 yards. His third finished 25 feet behind the hole. Perry was forced to take a drop back in the fairway and hit his fourth to 14 feet. Imada ran his putt two feet past and so Perry needed his putt to keep the playoff alive. He missed and when Imada converted for par, the title was his.
Camilo Villegas produced his best finish of the season and repeated his third place finish at this event last year when he reeled off a final nine holes in 31 to finish third, just ahead of another who has often played well here, Jonathan Byrd.
There were many lead changes over the closing stages but perhaps the saddest and most dramatic story would come via Ryan Palmer who had a share of the lead with five holes to play before double bogeys at the 14th and 16th holes would cost him not only a chance of victory but a high finish.
For Palmer, who has struggled in 2008 with only limited access to PGA Tour events, it was a missed opportunity to regain full status on the PGA Tour.
Steve Elkington was the best of the Australians in 11th position ahead of Gavin Coles and Nick O’Hern who tied for 20th. Stephen Leaney was 44th, Nick Flanagan 59th, Andrew Buckle 63rd and David Lutterus 73rd.
Greg Norman, who was playing here more than likely only because of his involvement in the design of the course, missed the cut after rounds of 80 and 71.
The PGA Tour now moves back to Texas for this week’s Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.
