- News>
- Golf
Flesch becomes second first-time winner of New Orleans Classic
New Orleans, May 05: Steve Flesch sank a 30-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to defeat Bob Estes and win the New Orleans Classic on Sunday. Flesch shot a seven-under 65 to reach 21-under 267 and then entered a playoff when Estes shot 69.
New Orleans, May 05: Steve Flesch sank a 30-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to defeat Bob Estes and win the New Orleans Classic on Sunday. Flesch shot a seven-under 65 to reach 21-under 267 and then entered a playoff when Estes shot 69.
Scott Verplank, who led for the two previous rounds stumbled to a 74 and finished alone in third at 19-under 269. Rookie Mark Wilson (69) finished fourth at 18-under 270, while J.L. Lewis (70) and Jerry Kelly (70) tied for fifth at 17-under 271.
Both Flesch and Estes drove the fairway at the first playoff hole, the par-four 18th. After Estes left his approach 25 feet from the hole, Flesch hit the green and was five feet further from the hole. Flesch became the second first-time winner on the PGA Tour in 2003, joining Ben Crane.
Flesch played the final 56 holes at English Turn Golf and Country Club without a bogey and his birdie on the first playoff hole, the par-four 18th, was just the third of the round. Estes is now 0-3 in career playoffs, the last coming 10 years ago. Verplank played the final three holes in three-over par to miss the playoff.
Bureau Report
Scott Verplank, who led for the two previous rounds stumbled to a 74 and finished alone in third at 19-under 269. Rookie Mark Wilson (69) finished fourth at 18-under 270, while J.L. Lewis (70) and Jerry Kelly (70) tied for fifth at 17-under 271.
Both Flesch and Estes drove the fairway at the first playoff hole, the par-four 18th. After Estes left his approach 25 feet from the hole, Flesch hit the green and was five feet further from the hole. Flesch became the second first-time winner on the PGA Tour in 2003, joining Ben Crane.
Flesch played the final 56 holes at English Turn Golf and Country Club without a bogey and his birdie on the first playoff hole, the par-four 18th, was just the third of the round. Estes is now 0-3 in career playoffs, the last coming 10 years ago. Verplank played the final three holes in three-over par to miss the playoff.
Bureau Report