There's A 16-Man Playoff For The Final Honda Classic Spot Today...

One final space for the Honda Classic is up for grabs but sixteen players will now face off in an unprecedented playoff

Fabian Gomez
(Image credit: Getty Images)
James Hibbitt
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UPDATE: Pro Survives Epic 16-Man Playoff To Reach Honda Classic

Each week, the PGA Tour gives players with little or no status, and those who do not receive sponsor exemptions, the opportunity to play their way into the tournament field. Typically there are four places up for grabs and this week, three of them have been finalised. 

Held at the Banyan Cay Resort in West Palm Beach, Florida, American Sam Stevens led the qualifier with a sensational round of 65 (-7). Stevens, an Oklahoma State alumni that competed against Viktor Hovland and Matthew Wolff, eagled the final hole to secure victory and a place in the Honda Classic. PGA Tour winner, Fabian Gomez, and fellow Argentine, Martin Contini, snapped up second place with rounds of 66 (-6). There is now one space into the Honda Classic field which is yet to be determined after sixteen players tied with rounds of 67 (-5). 

Play could not be finalised on Monday as darkness descended across Florida. Players will now return to begin the sudden death playoff at 7.30am local time on Tuesday. Those returning are:

  • Anders Albertson
  • Andy Svoboda
  • Ben Griffin
  • Brian Richey
  • Chase Seiffert
  • David Lingmerth
  • DJ Trahan
  • Jesse Smith
  • JT Griffin
  • Justin Doeden
  • Maxwell Sear
  • Mickey DeMorat
  • MJ Maguire
  • Rick Lamb
  • Ruaidhri Mcgee
  • Turk Pettit

In a bid to limit the waiting time for the earlier groups, play will commence in two groups of five and one group of six. It is a sudden death format which will take place across a three hole loop, if required. It will begin on hole 10, a reachable par five, before moving to the par three 11th and par five 12th. Those in the earlier groups will have to wait to see the results of those that follow before continuing. 

Since the PGA Tour reduced the number of Monday qualifiers to four, only four have gone on to win the tournament; including Kenny Knox at the 1986 Honda Classic. Who will claim the final spot into this year's tournament? We will keep you updated once it's finalised.

James Hibbitt
James Hibbitt
Writer

James joined Golf Monthly having previously written for other digital outlets. He is obsessed with all areas of the game – from tournament golf, to history, equipment, technique and travel. He is also an avid collector of memorabilia; with items from the likes of Bobby Jones, Tiger Woods, Francis Ouimet, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Adam Scott and Ernie Els. As well as writing for Golf Monthly, James’ golfing highlight is fist bumping Phil Mickelson on his way to winning the Open Championship at Muirfield in 2013. James grew up on the east coast of England and is the third generation of his golfing family. He now resides in Leeds and is a member of Cobble Hall Golf Club with a handicap index of 1.7. His favourite films are The Legend of Bagger Vance and Tin Cup.

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