Jerry Kelly wins Zurich Classic of New Orleans
- Monday, 27 April 2009
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Jerry Kelly
Jerry Kelly won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans by a single shot from Charles Howell III, Rory Sabbatini and Charlie Wi. It was Kelly’s first PGA Tour victory for seven years.
Kelly took a two-stroke lead into the final round but bogeys at the 8th and 10th saw him slip out of the lead. But the 42-year-old rallied, made birdies on the 11th and 14th and held on to record a one under par 71 and claim victory by a single shot.
“It’s been a long time,” said Kelly. “I sometimes doubted if it was ever going to happen.”
For a period on Sunday it looked as though it wasn’t going to happen this time. When Charles Howell III made his sixth birdie of the day on the 11th, he moved into a two shot lead. But Howell stumbled with bogeys at the 15th and 17th and allowed Kelly back into the competition.
“It's frustrating,” said Howell. “I got up to 15, and had every chance to do it. I just couldn't finish it off.”
Kelly picked up a cheque for $1,134,000 (his biggest ever payday), 500 FedEx Cup points and a two-year exemption on tour. The man from Wisconsin has climbed to 17th on the FedEx Cup standings.
England’s Ian Poulter finished in a tie for 13th.
Zurich Classic of New Orleans
TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana
Apr 23-26, purse $6,200,000, par 72
1 Jerry Kelly (USA) 68 66 69 71 274 $1,134,000
T2 Charles Howell III (USA) 68 69 70 68 275 $470,400
T2 Rory Sabbatini (RSA) 70 67 71 67 275 $470,400
T2 Charlie Wi (Kor) 66 70 71 68 275 $470,400
T5 Steve Marino (USA) 70 68 68 70 276 $239,400
T5 David Toms (USA) 68 68 72 68 276 $239,400
T7 Steve Stricker (USA) 68 73 69 67 277 $203,175
T7 Aaron Watkins (USA) 70 68 69 70 277 $203,175
T9 Jason Dufner (USA) 68 73 69 68 278 $203,175
T9 Roland Thatcher (USA) 68 70 70 70 278 $203,175
Note: Players in bold signifies Titleist ball usage only
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