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Leonard Defeats Parnevik In Texas Open Playoff

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The Associated Press

Published: October 8, 2007

SAN ANTONIO - Justin Leonard won the Texas Open for the third time Sunday, beating Jesper Parnevik with a 10-foot birdie putt on the third hole of a playoff.

Leonard, also the 2000 and '01 winner at LaCantera Golf Club Resort Course, closed with a 5-under 65 to match Parnevik at 19-under 261. Parnevik, who opened with a 61 and led after each of the first three rounds, finished with a 69.

Leonard is the first three-time Texas Open winner since Arnold Palmer in 1960-62.

'That's pretty special,' Leonard said. 'It's great company to be in. I played pretty solid.'

Leonard had plenty of opportunities to win before finally finishing off Parnevik for his 11th PGA Tour title and first since 2005.

On the final hole of regulation, the Texan's 14-foot birdie putt to win just slid by the hole. On the first extra hole, Parnevik took an unplayable lie after driving into the trees left of the fairway. But he hit a 153-yard approach to 3 feet to set up a par. Leonard chipped from the greenside rough to set up his par.

Petterson Outlasts Ochoa In Playoff

DANVILLE, Calif. - Suzann Pettersen put her name above top-ranked Lorena Ochoa's at long last, sinking a birdie putt from about 6 feet on the second playoff hole to win the Longs Drugs Challenge.

Pettersen, who began the day with a bogey, watched as Ochoa just missed a long putt from more than 20 feet before calmly making the winner and pumping her fist several times. They both birdied the first playoff hole, with Ochoa making an 18-footer.

Pettersen finished with a 1-over 73 to match Ochoa (71) at 11-under 277. Pettersen earned $165,000 for her third victory of the season.

The women embraced after both played aggressive golf all day.

Pettersen won her second playoff this year.

PGA EUROPEAN: At St. Andrews, Scotland, Nick Dougherty won the Dunhill Links Championship by two strokes, closing with a 1-under-par 71 for his second European tour title.

After bogeys on the first two holes, the Englishman birdied Nos. 6, 7 and 8 on the Old Course at St. Andrews and finished at 18-under 270.

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