World Golf News - 11 October 2011

On the US PGA Tour an epic final round playoff saw the American Bryce Molder win the Frys.com Open as he defeated compatriot Briny Baird at the sixth extra hole to clinch the title.

Both players finished even at the end of the fourth round, with Molder sinking a twelve-foot birdie putt to force a playoff. Both Baird and Molder were keen to make their first-ever win on the PGA Tour, and neither player showed any sign of conceding defeat as the playoff ran into its sixth hole - the longest of any tournament this season.

The sixth green at CordeValle golf course set the scene for a long-awaited victory as Molder sunk a six-foot putt to make birdie and lift the trophy. A first-time winner on the PGA Tour, an elated Molder kissed the trophy as he celebrated a career milestone.

For Baird, who has been unable to card a victory on the Tour in 348 starts, Sunday's playoff presented an opportunity for victory that the 32-year-old player must have been sad to lose. Not one to make heavy weather of a defeat however, he congratulated his opponent on a well-deserved victory.

In Europe, Britain's Lee Slatterly also carded his first victory at top professional level when he won the Madrid Masters.In a final round that saw the Englishman making several troubled shots that trimmed his overnight lead significantly, Slatterly held his nerve up to the last hole. With Italy's Lornezo Gagli in hot persuit on the back nine, Slatterly's lead looked to be in jeopardy when his third shot found water at the final hole. Not to be perturbed however, the Englishman held steady to card a double bogey and avoid a playoff against Gagli. Local favourite Eduardo De La Riva came in third place, with world number one Luke Donald finishing seven strokes off the pace.

Golfweather Editorial