Adam Scott of Australia consolidated his position as World Number 1 with a victory in the PGA Tour’s Crowne Plaza Invitational. He defeated America’s Jason Dufner in a playoff for the title.
Adam Scott of Australia consolidated his position as World Number 1 with a victory in the PGA Tour’s Crowne Plaza Invitational. He defeated America’s Jason Dufner in a playoff for the title.
Both Scott and Dufner began the round two shots behind the leaders, but they rallied with final rounds of 66 to post a four round total of 271.
Dufner was first to complete his fourth round. With a birdie a the home hole he posted a total of nine-under-par. Scott then matched that number some 30 minutes later.
The pair then had to wait for almost an hour to see if anybody in the final groups could match or better their scores. None were able to, so a playoff between the two 2013 Major champions ensued.
Both made par at the first extra hole – the 18th, then traded birdies on the 17th. When they played the 18th again, their third extra hole, Dufner missed a long birdie effort before Scott holed from less than 10 feet to take the title.
"It's so satisfying in so many ways to get it done," Scott said. "It's a good feeling, and maybe some validation. I didn't want to let this one slip. As always, a bit of luck involved. And to come out on top is a really satisfying feeling, and hopefully keep No. 1 for at least another week."
Although disappointed to come up short, Dufner was full of compliments for his Australian adversary.
“It’s tough to beat him, he’s a great player,” he said. “It’s tough to concentrate, he’s so good looking too.”
Sweden’s Freddie Jacobson needed a birdie at the last to force his way into the playoff. He putted from behind the final green and his ball stopped, agonisingly, just an inch short of the cup. He had to settle for a tie for third with Nicholas Thompson.
Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas May 22-25, purse $6,400,000, par 70
1 Adam Scott (Aus) 71 68 66 66 271 $1,152,000 2 Jason Dufner (USA) 67 69 69 66 271 $691,200 T3 Freddie Jacobson (Swe) 67 71 67 67 272 $371,200 T3 Nicholas Thompson (USA) 69 68 69 66 272 $371,200 T5 David Lingmerth (Swe) 72 69 66 66 273 $216,960 T5 Ryan Palmer (USA) 69 69 68 67 273 $216,960 T5 John Senden (Aus) 71 68 66 68 273 $216,960 T5 Brendon Todd (USA) 69 69 67 68 273 $216,960 T5 David Toms (USA) 72 66 65 70 273 $216,960
Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage
