WENTWORTH, England, 26 May 2003 — Ignacio Garrido won a dramatic sudden death play-off against South Africa’s Trevor Immelman to lift the biggest title of his career here this Sunday — the PGA Championship.
It was a stunning performance by Garrido who has been rebuilding his swing for the past 18 months.
It was a gut-wrenching finish for the 23-year-old Immelman who nearly pulled of a spectacular victory when his 80 foot eagle putt on the 18th for the title lipped the edge of the hole.
The final blow was dealt when he missed a four foot putt on the first hole of sudden death to gift the Spaniard victory.
“What do I say. It’s extremely sad. I really played well. I don’t know what happened with that little putt,” said an emotional Immelman.
For Garrido, who was partnered with Ernie Els, it was pure joy.
The 31-year-old Spaniard shot a closing seven-under 65 to finish 18-under for the tournament and only Immelman, in the final group, could catch him.
Immelman knew he needed two birdies in the final two holes to force Garrido into a play-off and looked poised to finish the job off when Garrido’s second on the first hole of sudden death went right off the green into the rough. Immelman drilled his second onto the front of the green but Garrido chipped to within three feet of the pin.
Perry Charges Eight Strokes
Clear at the Colonial
In Fort Worth, Texas, Kenny Perry streaked eight shots clear of the field with a sizzling nine-under-par 61 in the third round of the Colonial PGA tournament on Saturday.
The 42-year-old American, who began the day in a share of the lead with Dan Forsman, raced ahead of his title rivals with a 17-under total of 193.
First-round leader Rory Sabbatini (67) of South Africa was second on 201, followed by Jim Furyk (69) another stroke back. US Ryder Cup captain Hal Sutton (65), Stewart Cink (66) and Jeff Sluman (67) were tied for fourth place on 203.
Perry sped to the turn in a six-under 29 at the Colonial Country Club before picking up three more shots coming home to equal the course record shared by Keith Clearwater (1993), Lee Janzen (1993) and Greg Kraft (1999), and post his best round in 17 years on the PGA Tour.
Perry, chasing his fifth tour title, was one shot off the front-nine record of 28 set by Wayne Levi in 1993. After birdies at the 11th and 14th, the chance of a 59 began to go through his mind.
Scotland’s Matthew Leads
Veteran Field at Corning Classic
In Corning, New York, Catriona Matthew put together her second straight strong round on Saturday and has a two-stroke lead after 54 holes of the one million dollar LPGA Corning Classic.
“There are so many good players two or three shots behind, so I will have to go on,” Matthew said. “I reckon if I can shoot five-or six-under, I should be able to hold on.”
Matthew fired a five-under-par 67 on Saturday to put some working room between her and playing partner Lorie Kane.
They began their third trip over the Corning Country Club course tied for the lead.
A native of Scotland, Matthew is at 17-under 199 and positioned for her second career title, having also won at the 2001 Hawaiian Ladies Open.
On Friday, she shot a 64, matching Soo Yun Kang and first-round leader Karen Stupples for the best round of the tournament.
