First, congratulations to the American ladies for winning the 11th Solheim Cup on Sunday. Entering Sunday’s singles round things were all tied up and for a while it appeared that the Europeans might get a surprise win. However, several close rounds went the United State’s way and Morgan Pressel delivered the decisive point as favored Americans won 16-12.

Michelle Wie, whose 3-0-1 record was the best of any American this week, grabbed a U.S. flag and held it high as she ran around with it.

“It’s great,” Pressel said, fighting back tears. “A great feeling.”

Christina Kim provided a ton of “color” to the week’s events with her spunky play and attitude.

FINAL ROUND OF THE WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP WAS A NAIL BITER AS WELL

At the start of the day it appeared that Sergio Garcia would be an easy winner but he faded as the day went on. Then for a while it appeared that Chris Riley would get the win, but his play left him back in the field. Then Jason Bohn fired a 62 and came from nowhere to lead and it appeared that he’d be our winner. Ryan Moore played well enough to win his first PGA event but bogeyed the 18th and that opened the door for Kevin Stadler to inch up the leaderboard.

As the tournament came down to the final stretch Fred Couples worked his way up to 6th with a -3 under 67 today. His final shot on the 18th was a beautiful little chip that almost dropped.

With Ryan Moore bogeying, Kevin Stadler found himself in sole possession of 1st with Bohn in the clubhouse waiting to see how things played out. Stadler pushed his tee shot a bit off the right side in the rough. Sergio’s game continued to unravel – or so it seemed until Stadler came back to him, Moore and Bohn. After 15 holes it appeared Garcia would be out of it, but he parred the 16th and found himself only one stroke back. At that point Jason Bohn, Ryan Moore and Kevin Stadler were all one stroke better.

Stadler strolled to his shot which was sitting down in the rough off the 18th fairway. He pulled his sun glasses off and the look in his eyes told of his displeasure. He punched out of that bad lie and came up 144 yards short of the green. An up and down would save the par and perhaps launch him to his first victory on the PGA tour. His short iron shot was one that he hated as it took off, but a great bounce left him on the green with a chance of par. Meanwhile Ryan Moore was in the crowd signing autographs not even really thinking about a chance for a playoff.

Stadler missed his par putt on the 18th to drop him back into a three way tie at -16 under. Jason Bohn was over practicing a bit in anticipation of a playoff that was now looking pretty likely. One hole behind them was Chris Riley who was already out of the mix and Garcia, who needed a birdie to join the leaders at -16 under. He left that four feet short when he needed it the most. Still he went to the 18th green needing a birdie to get into the playoff mix. His tee shot found the left rough. By this time the three leaders were all practicing and staying loose. Sergio was 214 yards out, in the rough and waiting to hit his second shot. He put that one in one of the bunkers on the left side of the green and for all intents and purposes his day was done. Frankly he was lucky to still be in the mix for a possible win with the way he was fighting his game.

Not so fast! Sergio stepped up to his bunker shot and calmly hit a near-miracle shot that left the ball ONE INCH from going in! That would have had him in the playoff, and that was not missed by Ryan Moore who was watching as his playoff partners continued to stay loose.

SO WE GO TO A PLAYOFF!

Ryan Moore, Kevin Stadler and Jason (I can’t believe I’m still in this thing) Bohn went to the 18th tee for a sudden death playoff. Bohn has finished his round much earlier and had much longer to wait before finding out that he was playing for the win.

The players met at the 18th tee knowing that this hole had only given up three birdies on the day. Stadler hit first and had a little bit of bad luck as his tee shot ended up just an inch off the fairway but in fine shape. Ryan Moore was next and CRUSHED his tee shot right in the middle of the fairway. Bohn was next and hit his tee shot into the first cut of rough, just off the fairway.

Advantage Moore.

Stadler stepped to his second shot which as 211 yards away and hit it into the greenside bunker.

Bohn was 209 yards away hitting his second shot, also from the rough and hit his in about the same spot as Stadler had.

Moore’s drive was 351 yards, leaving him just 160 yards away and in the fairway. He hit the green and was within 20 feet of the hole. He just missed the birdie putt that would have won, and then Bohn missed and Stadler hit his up and down par putt to send things into a TWO WAY playoff between Stadler and Moore. That insured we’d have a first time winner on the PGA tour.

They proceed to the 10th tee, a par 4, 440 yard hole that had only given up 4 birdies on the day.

Both players hit the fairway with great tee shots within a few feet of each other and Moore’s second shot was a mishit flare off to the right. Stadler, whose dad Craig Stadler won this tournament when Kevin was two month old, stepped up and hit a nice shot that left him 21 feet to the hole.

Advantage Stadler.

Moore hit a nice lag putt that covered all but 4 feet of the 58 feet he was away.

Stadler wasted NO TIME and hit quickly and missed his birdie putt. Moore then went through his routine and sunk his par putt. So did Stadler and we’re off to playoff hole number three.

It’s now 6:42pm and getting tough to see. We’re on the 18th again and Kevin Stadler’s tee shot was off to the left into the first cut of rough. Moore hit a carbon copy of his previous 18th hole playoff tee shot and was in the fairway.

Advantage Ryan Moore.

Stadler’s lie was not good at all and he needed a miracle shot to get it anywhere near the green. He hit a stinger that left him slightly behind the green.

Moore then hit a 6 iron that fed right to the pin and left him only eight feet for a birdie.

HUGE ADVANTAGE MOORE…

Stadler was 53 feet away hitting three. His ball was down in the grass a hit and as usual he took no time over the shot. He hit it right and short and was still away putting for par.

AMAZING ADVANTAGE MOORE…

Stadler made a quick but great effort, missed and tapped in for a bogey.

That left Ryan Moore with an easy win as all he needed was to two putt to win. He only needed the one putt as he rolled in his birdie putt and collected his first PGA Tour victory.

“This has been my fifth year playing and it’s been tough at times playing through some injuries, but this is great. It worked out for me today.”

congrats to Ryan Moore on his first win – The Wyndham Championship!

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