Happy ending to Matteson collapse

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This article was published 26/10/2009 (6156 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Troy Matteson blew a chance to win the Frys.com Open in regulation by bogeying the 17th and 18th holes.

Playing the same holes in reverse order in a three-way playoff, Matteson recovered from his late collapse. He birdied the second extra hole to beat Jamie Lovemark and Rickie Fowler on Sunday at Grayhawk Golf Club for his second PGA Tour victory.

“I just can’t believe that it’s ended up like this,” said Matteson, who won US$900,000. “I know I stumbled going down the stretch, but I’m still beside myself.”

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 to win.

That capped an incredible three-day stretch for the 29-year-old Matteson. After shooting a 2-over 72 on Thursday, he thought he might be headed for the airport before the weekend.

But Matteson had back-to-back 61s on Friday and Saturday — a PGA Tour record for lowest score in consecutive rounds — and he took a three-stroke lead into the final round.

“That’s as good as I can play,” Matteson said. “I really don’t have to worry about playing better than that, because that’s it.”

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. Weir, the 2007 champion, had a chance for the fourth 59 in PGA Tour history but parred the final two holes.

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.

On the first extra hole, 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.

“It was crazy,” said Lovemark, who called the fluke shot a “skipper.”

Lovemark and Fowler, who are seeking PGA Tour cards, each earned $440,000.

Fowler has made $553,700 this season, which gives him special temporary membership because the amount exceeds the 150th spot on the money list last year. That allows him to skip the first stage of Q-school next week and most likely makes him exempt into the final stage. He is the equivalent of 136th on this year’s money list, and still has time to reach the top 125 and earn his card without Q-school.

“I knew I was capable of coming out and competing,” said the shaggy-haired Fowler, who tied for seventh in Las Vegas last week.

— The Associated Press