Recovering from a late collapse, Troy Matteson birdied the second playoff hole to beat Jamie Lovemark and Rickie Fowler in the Frys.com Open on Sunday at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Matteson bogeyed the final two holes of regulation to fall into the playoff with Lovemark and Fowler, who are both seeking PGA Tour cards.

After all three players parred the first playoff hole, Matteson hit his approach within three feet on the 464-yard, par-4 17th hole. With shadows stretching onto the green, he rolled in the putt for his second PGA Tour win.

On the first playoff hole, the 515-yard, par-4 18th, Matteson and Fowler each reached the green in two and made easy par putts.

Lovemark got a gift when his approach splashed into a man-made lagoon, then bounced onto the slope of the green. Lovemark chipped to three feet and made the putt to stay alive.

Bright’s Grove, Ont., native Mike Weir had the round of the day, a sizzling 9-under 61 that left him in a tie for sixth with Bryce Molder at 15 under par. Weir, the 2007 champion, had a chance for the fourth 59 in PGA Tour history but parred the final two holes.

The 29-year-old Matteson’s first tour victory came as a rookie in 2006, when he won the Frys.com Open in Las Vegas, now called the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

Matteson won $900,000 US, while Lovemark and Fowler each earned $440,000.

With about $553,000 in earnings this year, Fowler has received a temporary tour membership that allows him to play in the Viking Classic next week. If he doesn’t win that tourney, Fowler would have to go to the final stage of qualifying school.

Lovemark said he’s headed to the first stage of Q-school next week at Pinehurst.
Sourced via cbc.ca

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