Extra special win for Frazar

TEXAN Harrison Frazar captured his first victory on the PGA US Tour in Memphis, Tennessee, yesterday when he defeated Sweden’s Robert Karlsson at the third tie hole of a “sudden death” play-off after they had tied on 13 under par after the regulation 72 holes.

Frazar, 39, earned his card on tour at the US Tour School in 2008 during which he joined the elite few to have broken 60 in serious competition. His career has been adversely affected by hip and wrist injuries but he fully deserved this breakthrough win which came at the expense of Karlsson, who was losing in a play-off for the second successive year in this event.

Frazar was one ahead of Karlsson in what was essentially a two-horse race playing the final hole. However, he pulled his approach into a water hazard and had to work hard for a bogey five that sent the pair into extra time. The finish came at the third play-off hole when the 6 ft 5 inch Swede missed the green to the right, chipped 14 feet past and missed the putt that would have kept the contest alive.