Ryan Sloane of Campbell sank a seven-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to turn back Chris Johnson of Rancho Cordova and win the 16th California State Fair Masters for fifth consecutive year at Bing Maloney Golf Course in Sacramento.
Last year, the 39-year-old Sloane sank a 30-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole, also No. 17, to turn back Juan Gonzales of Roseville.
“Bing Maloney has been really great to me over the last five years,” said Sloane, who holed a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole of regulation to force the playoff this time.
“I knew I had my work cut out for me against a three-time champ (Jeff Hoffman of Folsom), a three-time runner-up (Johnson), and a two-time Seaver Cupper (Garett Wagner of Brentwood).
“It was another nail-biter for me and this tournament has a very special place in my heart.”
Sloane posted a score of 67-70-73—210, 6-under-par, while Chris Johnson, who missed a 15-foot birdie putt on the playoff hole, finished at 69-72-69—210.
Wagner was third at 72-70-70—212, followed by Hoffman, the 2008, 2012 and 2013 champion, who wound up at 69-70-75—214.
Kevin Alexander of Napa totaled 73-71-71—215 to tie for fifth with Jeff Weiss of Roseville, who finished at 72-70-73—215, while Craig Miyamoto of Sacramento shot 71-71-75—217 to tie for seventh with Dan Orovich of Woodland, who came in at 70-74-73—217.
Dean Clapp of Rancho Murieta was ninth at 70-75-73—218, while Danny Gums of Rancho Murrieta wound up at 72-73-74—219 to tie for 10th with Alvaro Estrada of Sacramento, who finished at 74-74-71—219.
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