Epic sudden-death play-off at Torrey Pines
Sweden’s Alex Noren came within a whisker of winning his first tournament in America. Indeed, it took an extra day and an epic 78 holes before Australia’s Jason Day was announced the winner of the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego, USA (25-28 January 2018). Early Monday morning, the ten-times winner on the PGA Tour teed-off at Torrey Pines in an ‘extension of the extension’ – a sudden-death play-off – with the nerves-of-steel player from Stockholm.
Thirty-year old Day emerged the victor after holing little more than a tap-in putt for birdie at the sixth extra play-off hole. Moments before, Noren had made bogey at the par-5, 18th after his second shot came up a few centimetres short of the green and rolled back into the water. Day had had the luxury of seeing the Swede’s watery grave, and so tactfully laid-up for two, before pitching his third shot ‘dead’.
Close shave for Noren in search of first title in America
In fact, Noren was agonisingly close to outright victory at the end of regulation play. All he needed was a birdie at the 72nd hole – the 538-yard, par-5 18th which would have got him to 11-under and so lay claim to the Farmers Insurance Open title. Day was leader in the clubhouse on 278 (10-under par) at this point, eagerly anticipating a play-off. Alas, Noren closed with a par and so also finished at 10-under. Then, rather unexpectedly, the half-way leader, American Ryan Palmer conjured-up a magical birdie at the last to get himself a slice of the action in a three-way play-off. And so Jason Day, Alex Noren and Ryan Palmer teed-off in what was to become a lengthy and exciting tussle. READ MORE.
Tiger on the prowl at the weekend
Strong winds in the Farmers Insurance Open on Sunday really put the cat among the pigeons. Many a seasoned golfer had to step away from the ball at times in order to regain concentration as winds gusted on the coastal fairways of the par 72 Torrey Pines South Golf Course in California.
The back nine turned into a thrilling showdown with Americans J.B. Holmes and Ryan Palmer pitching their wedges against a seriously on-form Jason Day from Australia and Alex Noren from Sweden. Even Tiger Woods was on the prowl at Torrey Pines.
The former World Number One was back in action and almost in contention. Although still recovering from his latest back operation, Tiger delighted the crowds by surviving the halfway cut and producing some incredible rescue shots reminiscent of his glory days when he was the best player on the planet, only to then miss a few short putts. Alas, his dream of shooting 65 on Sunday was a step too far, but Tiger did seem reasonably satisfied with his game.
Monday morning decides winner
After all the Sunday excitement, it was odds on that the further extension of the play-off on Monday between would be an anti-climax. Of course, the players would have dearly loved to play on at Torrey Pines on Sunday, if only they could see the ball! Alas, there was no option – darkness had the final word.
Gone were the ecstatic weekend crowds that had encouraged their sporting stride. No doubt after a restless night, the two gladiators had to perform with just a handful of spectators, family and friends together with a few officials, and a camera or two on Monday morning.
There was a small consolation for Ryan Palmer, however. He had the luxury of being able to laze at home that morning. Whatever the outcome of the play-off, the American was assured of his 607,200 US dollars in prizemoney. It was just a question of whether he would be sharing second place on the leader-board with Jason Day or Alex Noren. By winning the play-off at the sixth extra hole, Day earned himself a cool 1,242,00 US dollars.
Great golf, guys!
Wendy Hoad
CURIOUS as to what happened to Ryan Palmer in the play-off? READ MORE about the Sunday of stunning golf in the Farmers Insurance Open.
MAIN PICTURE: Winner Jason Day battles against the sunset during Sunday’s play-off.