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By BILL HUFFMAN
The last Frys.com Open that ever will be played at Scottsdale’s Grayhawk Golf Club ended in high drama Sunday, as PGA Tour veteran Troy Matteson held off rising stars Rickie Fowler and Jamie Lovemark in a sudden-death playoff that lasted for two “very interesting’’ holes.
The tournament, which is sponsored by the San Jose, Calif.-based Fry’s Electronics company will move next year to CordeValle Golf Club, a Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed golf course which also is located near San Jose. Several players and one other source with close ties to the tournament confirmed that the move is pending.
“They just lengthened CordeValle in the last yearto a ridiculous 7,500 yards, and they didn’t do it for the members,’’ said one of the players in reference to the upscale Silicon Valley club that is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and includes a spa and vineyard.
“When I heard that (CordeValle had been lengthened), I figured that’s where we were going (next year).’’
The source with close ties to the Frys.com said that “it only made sense’’ to move the tournament to San Jose, where within a few years it will move into The Institute Golf Club, which is virtually across the street from CordeValle. Technically, CordeValle is in San Martin and The Institute in Morgan Hill, both suburbs of San Jose. But the reality is, they are just a long par-5 from each other.
“Having two tournaments in Scottsdale is counterproductive to both the Frys.com and the FBR (Open), especially in this economic climate,’’ said the source. “They compete against each other (for sponsors), and while the FBR wins most of those (sponsorships) it doesn’t do either one any good. . . .
“My understanding is that the PGA Tour board of directors will meet in early November and vote on making the move (to San Jose). I would expect the announcement to come shortly after that so the Fry’s people can get going with their plans for 2010.’’
Tournament director Scott Reid had said earlier in the week that he didn't know the tournament's fate.
"It's the million-dollar question,'' Reid said about the possibility that it wouldn't return to Grayhawk next year. "After the tournament, we'll sit down with the Fry's folks and the Tour and evaluate everything and, ultimately, come to a decision.''
It was known from the beginning that Grayhawk Golf Club would be a temporary home to the tournament, or until The Institute had received the proper permitting and zoning and the club’s massive, 160,000 square-foot clubhouse – The American Institute of Mathematics – was built. The Institute, which also is “ridiculous’’ at 7,952 yards, has met most of those zoning requirements but ground has yet to be broken on the clubhouse, thus Grayhawk – and soon CordeValle – will serve the purpose as a stepping stone.
In its three years at Grayhawk, the Frys.com produced Matteson, Mike Weir (2007) and Cameron Beckman (2008) as its champions. But the legacy of the tournament will be that it was the launching pad for Fowler, 20, and Lovemark, 21, who both turned professional this year.
“You’re going to see their names up there a lot in the short term,’’ said Matteson of the dynamic duo’s sudden impact, as both earned $440,000 compared with Matteson’s winning check of $900,000. “So to hit it close (21 inches) and come away with a birdie there on (the second playoff hole) against those two guys, it’s pretty special for me. . . .
“When I was their age, well, you have no fear. I think that’s the way those two guys played all week. They had no fear. My hat’s off to them.’’
Matteson, who closed with a 2-under-par 68, bogeyed the last hole to create the playoff with Fowler and Landmark, who both shot 64. Fowler, whose round was punctuated by a hole-in-one at No. 5,also bogeyed the last hole – a “good bogey’’ from an awkward lie in the fairway compounded by another bad lie in a greenside bunker. Lovemark made a clutch birdie at No. 18, as 18-under 262 proved to be the number.
All made par on the first playoff hole even if Lovemark’s effort was just shy of a miracle, as his wedge from the fairway drifted right and splashed into the water just a foot short of the green. Unbelievably, the ball disappeared under the surface then came ricocheting back up through the water after apparently hitting a cement apron that runs around the base of the green.
Matteson, who referred to the playoff as “a very interesting situation for me, being up against those two (high-profile) kids at the same time,’’ ended the drama on the next hole when he rifled a 6-iron from 197 yards that nestled close to the cup. Matteson called it a foot but ShotLink recorded it at 21 inches.
“I hit a bullet, low 6-iron that never left the flag,’’ said Matteson of his shot-of-the-daythat vaulted him from the danger zone on the top-125 money list (No. 131) all the way to No. 55 with $1,466,070. “I thought, “Gosh, that’s a really good shot. I’m gonna put some pressure on these guys.’’
As it turned out, Lovemark and Fowler never sniffed the cup with their birdie attempts that came from long range. But they did leave a lasting impression on everyone who was fortunate enough to get to see their coming-out party.
In the aftermath, Matteson was asked if he was aware of the coincidence, some might say irony, of his two PGA Tour victories, as both came at the Frys.com Open but the first was in 2006 when the tournament was held in Las Vegas.
“You know, I thought about that this morning when I woke up in my hotel room,’’ he said with a smile. “I knew I had a good chance to win this, and that both of my wins could be Fry’s.com Open wins, but in different cities. That’s weird.’’
Asked what he thought about the opportunity he would have next year to defend his title in yet a third different city, Matteson had a good laugh.
“You know, I heard that, too,’’ he said of the tournament’s pending move to San Jose. “It’s OK with me. In fact, me and my wife (Shauna) love Fry’s Electronics stores. We go there all the time, and we’ve bought a lot of stuff there since I first won it (in 2006).
“So wherever they want to have the tournament, that’s fine with me. We’ll be there.’’
Asked the key to his victory, the introspective Matteson never blinked, citing the tournament record-tying 61s he shot in the second and third rounds – the lowest 36 consecutive holes in PGA Tour history.
“The two 61s are probably something that I’ll never do again,’’ said the Alpharetta, Ga., pro who will soon turn 30. “That’s as good as I can play. I really don’t have to worry about playing better than that, because that’s it.’’
As it turned out, Matteson needed all of it as he held off the future at least for another day.
DYNAMIC DUO
Even though both fell short of their ultimate goal, Californians Fowler and Lovemark made lasting impressions for those who were lucky enough to get to witness their first true shootout in professional golf.
“If you would have told me I was gonna be in a playoffwith a chance to win Sunday afternoon, I would have jumped on that in a heartbeat,’’ said Fowler, who spent two years as a highly celebrated golfer at Oklahoma State before posting back-to-back top-10s in his first two Tour events the past two weeks.
That feat gives Fowler temporary status with the big boys, as his $553,700 in unofficial winnings would rank him No. 135 on the money list if he were a card-carrying member. That status also gets Fowler into this week’s Viking Classic in Madison, Miss., and exempts him into at least the final stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School.
Some might say he deserves it after making the ace at the 199-yard fifth hole, where he actually grabbed his first share of the lead on Sunday. The kid was so excited he autographed the ball on the spot and gave it to his mother.
“That was pretty special,’’ said Fowler, whose mother is of Japanese and Native American (Choctaw) decent thus Fowler’s middle name of Yutaka – the first name of his grandfather.
Asked if he was surprised at the fast start, the easygoing Fowler shrugged: “Yes and no. I knew I was capable of coming out and competing. But to finish tied for seventh (last week) and then tied for first and then losing a playoff, pretty quick start. I’m just looking forward to next week and to hopefully putting together four more good rounds and see where we’re going from there.’’
The 6-foo-4 Lovemark, who is much more serious than Fowler and about six inches taller, was more disappointed with the outcome. But the former Southern Cal star did loosen up a little when his miracle at the first playoff hole was mentioned.
“Yeah, I saw it skip,’’ he said. “But I was still mad. You know, I knew par wasn’t gonna win the playoff, so I was trying to hit it close.I was trying to go right at it and just jaw it in there.
“I was mad I didn’t hit a good shot. I thought I made a good swing. I’m working on some things right now, and I’m not quite used to (being) under pressure. (Next time) I gotta make sure I release it a little harder than I usually do.’’
Lovemark hasn’t been quite as successful as Fowler, at least to date. He was playing in just his fourth tournament, and his previous winnings (approximately $10,000) didn’t give him enough money to avoid Q-School As a result, he is playing at Pinehurst today in the first stage.
Asked what he’ll take from his experience, Lovemark said: “I managed to birdie five out of the last eight (holes). I didn’t think that was still good enough. I didn’t think it was realistic, but it was nice the way it turned out.’’
How good are Fowler and Lovermark? Each has now lost a Nationwide Tour playoff as an amateur and a PGA Tour playoff as a pro. Already!
Canadian Mike Weir, the 2007 Frys.com Open champ, tied the tournament record of 61 held by Kevin Stadler (2008) and equaled twice last week by Matteson. What was unique about Weir’s effort on Sunday was he reached 9 under after just 15 holes.
That meant the “59 watch’’ was on, but all Weir could do was make three pars coming down the stretch. And, yes, he thought about the possible 59, the most coveted score in golf.
“I think after I birdied the par-5 (his 13th hole), I guess, that got me to 8 (under),’’ said Weir, who came up one shot shy of the Raptor Course record held by Phil Mickelson, who posted it on two occasions in post-season events.
“Obviously, 7, 8 and 9 (his 16th through 18th holes) are no picnic. But I hit it close a lot today, so I was happy with the effort.’’
His final-round blitzkrieg vaulted Weirsy into a tie for fifth at 15 under, or three shots out of the playoff. But he couldn’t help but think of what might have been.
“I’ve had some good rounds out here, (although) yesterday’s was disappointing,’’ said Weir, who might have been in the thick of it had he not shot 70 on Saturday. “I tried hard. I just didn’t have it yesterday. . . .
“I want to keep working hard and get back to where I need to be. This is a great round. The year was a bit like the last two days. I had some great rounds – 64 in the U.S. Open – then I would follow it up with not too good of stuff.’’
MAYFAIR STRUGGLING
Local favorite Billy Mayfair is in jeopardy of losing his PGA Tour card for the first time in 21 years. He currently sits No. 156 on the money list with two tournaments to play. He needs to get into the top 125 for full-time status or at least into the top 150 for conditional status.
The worst part for Mayfair was he came into the tournament No. 156, made the cut, shot 6 under, earned $12,060 and never moved on the money list.
“I don’t know (why he's played poorly). It has been the happiest year I’ve ever had, being married to Tami and with Max,’’ said Mayfair of his wife of one year and his nine-year-old son.
“But my spot on the money list is horrible, and despite as poorly as I’ve played, it’s probably the most fun I’ve had. It’s a tricky thing to say, but sometimes when you’re happy off the golf course, what happens on the golf course doesn’t matter.’’
According to the 43-year-old Mayfair, who tied for 50th place, he’s missed "way too many cuts'' this season and failed to make a top-10 finish for the first time in 18 years.
“If I can’t hold onto it (PGA Tour card), I’ll have to play on sponsor’s exemptions because I’ve already used my top-50 (all-time money winners) exemption (in 2004),’’ he said. “Hopefully, I can get into at least 20 tournaments on (sponsor’s exemptions).’’
Mayfair didn’t sound all that thrilled about the options, but ever the optimist he added: “Who knows? Just playing in 20 events next year might do me better. I’ll be rested and all that. . . . At least I can look at next year and know I’ll get in at LA, San Diego and Phoenix, and if I have a good week there, I’m off to the races again.’’
PARTING SHOTS
The last Frys.com Open at Grayhawk had some wild moments, like the four holes-in-one that were made, including one by Phoenix’s Ted Purdy that won him a Mercedes-Benz. And for only the fourth time this season, there was a double eagle, which was made by Nicholas Thompson, one of the guys who also made an ace. Thompson’s double eagle at No. 11 and hole-in-one at No. 13 in the third round are believed to be a first. Certainly it was one of the few times in the game’s history that a player went 5 under on two holes in the same round without using a putter! . . .
Speaking of weirdness, Scottsdale’s Kevin Streelman had the early lead in the tournament when he was 7 under through his first 11 holes – a run that created a three-shot lead. But Streelman stumbled down the stretch in Round One with four bogeys and a triple that left him at even-par 70. Another 70 in Round Two and Streelman missed the cut. The good news for Streelman is that he remains No. 1 with a two-shot lead in the $1 million Kodak Challenge with two events to play. And, yes, he got a birdie at the Kodak hole – No. 16 – on Thursday to help the million-dollar cause. . . .
Another guy on a roll at one point was Aussie Nick O’Hern, who was even par through his first nine holes then made eight birdies and a bogey on the back nine for a first round-leading 63. It never got much better for O’Hern, who finished out 68-67-70 and ended up in a tie for 13th place. . . .
Scottsdale’s Tim Clark, our favorite to win last week, kept getting close to the leaders but falling back with bogeys, including a costly one at the 17th that dropped him into a two-way tie for fourth at 16 under – two shotsfrom the playoff. Clark earned $220,000, and now sits in 28th place on the money list at $2,235,105 despite still looking for his first win on Tour. He has six runner-up finishes in eight years. . . .
Chris Stroud, whose wife is expecting a baby girl, had said he wasn’t going to play past the Frys.com even though he was only No. 125 on the money list. No problem, as Stroud went home knowing that the $135,000 he claimed for a tie for eighth place pushed him to No. 111 in the chase for the cash and wrapped up his card for 2010. . . .
Justin Leonard was just a shot off the lead at the midpoint after posting rounds of 66-64, and many thought he was going to win his first tournament of 2009. But it wasn’t to be as the little Texan fell into a tie for 13th after two consecutive rounds of 69. . . .
It was good to see the often-injured Arron Oberholser come back from the DL with a good finish and some solid play. The Scottsdale pro never had a bad day as he went 68-69-66-68, and despite winning only $26,416, said he was “encouraged.'' Oberholser, who is playing on a medical exemption, still has 13 tournaments in 2010 to win approximately $350,000 and keep his card. . . .
Ricky Barnes started strong and finished strong – 66-65 – but got drug down by 70-71 in the middle. The runner-up in this summer’s U.S. Open at Bethpage Black ended up tied for 39th and won $18,500. Barnes is one of the guys sitting on the money bubble at No. 121 with $672,437. That’s about $50,000 better than the No. 125 spot. . . .
Last week’s winner in Las Vegas, Scotland’s Martin Laird of Scottsdale, played well again and ended up in a tie for 13th place. Lost among Matteson’s 61s on Friday and Saturday was a brilliant 62 by Laird in Round 3. . . .
And, finally, the Frys.com produced the 12th playoff of the 2009 season. What's interesting is that all three Fall Series tournaments to date have ended up in OT.
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