Playoff birdie gives Moore first PGA victory

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This article was published 24/08/2009 (6197 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Ryan Moore spent plenty of time this week sitting around and waiting at Sedgefield Country Club. A few extra moments weren’t going to bother him.

Not with his first PGA Tour victory on the line.

Moore claimed his first win on tour with a birdie on the third hole of a sudden death playoff to beat Kevin Stadler on Sunday at the Wyndham Championship.

"I was able to stay patient, really," Moore said. "That’s what won this one."

After vaulting up the leaderboard with five consecutive birdies on the back nine, he had two chances to seal the victory after his approach on No. 18 landed in the middle of the green and rolled to six feet. He sank that putt for his first victory in his 112th event.

Stadler’s second shot on the third playoff hole skipped off the back of the green. He chipped within 20 feet, but his putt drifted to the low side of the cup.

That cleared the way for Moore to make his putt, pick up US$918,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points for winning the final tournament before the playoffs start later this week.

"This felt like an uphill battle," said Moore, who turned pro in 2005. "The whole time I’ve been on the PGA Tour, I just haven’t been healthy, haven’t felt like myself, and really kind of got some good momentum (finishing tied for 10th) at the U.S. Open, really feeling like myself again over the golf ball, and just kind of getting some confidence back in the putter and every aspect of the game. That’s really carried through to this week."

Stadler, Moore and Jason Bohn forced the playoff after they were tied at 16-under 264 through 72 holes. Bohn was eliminated on the first playoff hole after he had trouble escaping the greenside bunker on No. 18 and his first try rolled back into the sand.

Sergio Garcia blew a three-stroke lead midway through the final round, shot a 70 and finished at 265. Michael Allen (68), Kevin Sutherland (66), Fred Couples (67), Brandt Snedeker (68) and Justin Rose (68) were at 266.

Moore and Stadler both bogeyed No. 18 in regulation.

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Moore sailed his drive near the cart path. His second shot bounced into the sand and — after a remarkable bunker chip to 8 feet — his short par putt bent left around the hole. The younger Stadler’s third shot landed on a hill behind the green but rolled back to eight feet from the flagstick, but he left his par putt about six inches short.

"I can’t play that hole," Stadler said. "I’ll just leave it that."

Moore shot a 65 in the final round.

— The Associated Press