VALDERRAMA, Spain, 3 November 2003 — Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson staged an astonishing comeback to beat Spain’s Carlos Rodiles in the fourth playoff hole to win the season ending Volvo Masters here yesterday.
The Swede looked to have lost the tournament in regulation time when he stood on the 72nd tee two shots down to the 28-year-old Spaniard.
But a hooked drive and then an approach 35 feet past the flag from Rodiles and a second shot to three feet from the Swede for a certain birdie stunned the Spanish crowd looking for a home win.
The two-men finished tied at 12-under and headed back to the 18th tee for the sudden death playoff.
It all ended on the fourth playoff hole when Rodiles hit a wild drive into the trees at the 18th. He could only knock the ball out sideways while Jacobson was 12 feet away from the flag after a majestic second shot.
Jacobson collected $690,000 for the win, his third this season. Rodiles had the consolation of pocketing $460,000.
“Quite unbelievable,” said Jacobson. “Someone was looking out for me today. I have played in two playoffs before today and lost both.”
Now the Swede has his sights set on next season.
Jacobson, who is the first player to ever lead the Volvo Masters from start to finish, put his third success of the season down to will power.
Rodiles, chasing his first European Tour win, looked to have the tournament in his pocket when, on the famed par-five 17th, Jacobson dumped his third into the lake guarding the front of the green when the ball spun off the putting surface.
Rodiles, being followed by a huge patriotic home crowd stuck his approach to five feet and holed for a birdie. Jacobson double bogeyed and suddenly there was a three shot swing.
Singh Charges Up Chrysler Field, Goosen Lead
In Palm Harbor, Florida, Retief Goosen birdied the 18th hole to cap a four-under-par 67 and build a two-shot lead after three rounds of the Chrysler Championship on Saturday.
Briny Baird was second but Fiji’s Vijay Singh surged into third another shot back.
Singh, who could clinch the PGA Tour’s money title with victory in this event, made the biggest move of the day when he carded a six-under 65.
He began the day trailing the 2002 European Tour’s number one Goosen by five shots.
South African Goosen had built a three-stroke lead on the back nine, but bogeyed the 13th and 17th holes, each a par three, before making amends at the last.
“I think I have won most of my tournaments, 90 percent of my tournaments, from the front or leading from the first round, although I wasn’t leading from the first round this week,” Goosen said.
“It seems like once I get in front that’s my main goal to stay in front. I grind hard to try to stay there.”
While not dismissing Baird, Goosen said he expected Singh, the world number two, to be his principle challenger for the title.
“Vijay is trying to win it tomorrow to finish off the money title,” Goosen said.
Tim Petrovic was fourth on 206, two strokes better than Loren Roberts and Jose Coceres of Argentina.
