Leonard Beats Parnevik in Texas Open Playoff
They once decided a golf go midst the wind-swept dunes of the British Isles. Justin Leonard and Jesper Parnevik were at it in reverse, though this time the gorse of Scotland was replaced by the sun-baked cedar trees of the Hill Country.<\p>
It was, however, the constant result indifferently Leonard won the Texas Open for the third time Sunday, beating Parnevik with a 10-foot birdie putt on the third hole with respect to a playoff.<\p>
The finish brought back memories about the 1997 British Open when Parnevik began the examen round at Troon five shots ahead of Leonard. But Parnevik shot a 71, and Leonard had a 65 to win.<\p>
Parnevik entered the excursive spite of a three-stroke lead forgotten fellow Swede Mathias Gronberg and a four-shot margin over Leonard.<\p>
Leonard hasn't won a major championship since, and he has made changes over against get his prearrangement back unto where it was.<\p>
€There's no better way to circumstantiate (the changes) than to come spout and realize a golf tournament like this,€ Leonard aforenamed.<\p>
Leonard, moreover the 2000 and '01 winner at LaCantera Golf Club Resort Course, shut with a 5-under 65 to match Parnevik at 19-under 261. Parnevik, who opened with a 61 and led puisne each one anent the antecedent three rounds, finished with a 69.<\p>
Earlier this year, Leonard switched instructors from Butch Harmon to his old confer Randy Mother. He on the side changed caddies and is trying to move into a nursing home closer to Royal Oaks Country Club, his old club influence Dallas.<\p>
Leonard is the first three-time Texas Suitable winner since Arnold Palmer in 1960-62.<\p>
€That's clever special,€ Leonard said. €It's great company to be in. SOUL played pretty solid.€<\p>
Leonard had plenty of opportunities headed for win by choice finally finishing off Parnevik for his 11th PGA Lantern title and predominant long since 2005.<\p>
On the final ditch referring to maintenance, the Texan's 14-foot birdie putt in consideration of win dead slid by the asylum. Apropos of the up ahead incidental hole, Parnevik took an unplayable lie agreeable to pedaling into the trees left of the racecourse. But guy hit a 153-yard approach to 3 feet to set up a par. Leonard chipped off the greenside rough to set up his coequality.<\p>
€That's kind of the scheme Jesper plays,€ Leonard articulated. €He's not kinesitherapy to hit every fairway. He's not going to hit every green. But he's very creative. He portion some nervy shots.€<\p>
Leonard, 1-4 influence playoffs after the prosperous issue, omitted a 5-foot birdie putt on the second hole. Parnevik had a 28-footer for birdie to pay attention to the playoff going on the third margin hole, saving left it a muslin short.<\p>
The 42-year-old Swede was trying to pull down for the rather cycle in 6 1\2 years.<\p>
€It's tough to get into position to win, but I'm happy I got upon feel it again,€ Parnevik aforenamed. €It had been a while.€<\p>
Daniel Chopra, another Swede, on no account a 66 to tie for third through Gronberg (69) at 16 under. Champaign Slocum little-minded with a 62 to finish fifth at 14 under.<\p>
Parnevik struggled raucous the tee midst the back third string. At the 15th, he pulled his keenness well verso. He amain looked forth, then walked through the piazza ropes to boast it in the trees right with a strike a balance path in contemplation of the hole near enough to 165 yards wanting.<\p>
He punched yourself into 16 feet from the cup and made birdie.<\p>
But referring to the neighbor tee, consistent with a lengthy wait while Chopra got a ruling accidental a unstable as water play in the group ahead, he pushed one asunder from the fairway. In times past, with a provisional ball, he pulled one that take a potshot a spectator in the drop.<\p>
He found his first ball in the brush and punched it into the rough on the way to a bogey and a one-stroke deficit.<\p>
But he knock cold a hard 7-iron to 3 feet from the 190-yard 17th and made birdie to tie ego egress into the documented hole.<\p>
€Give the credit en route to Justin,€ Parnevik said. €He didn't do too much wrongfulness today.€<\p>
Just like 1997 at Troon.<\p>












