Kevin Tway birdied the two last holes of regulation, but he was simply getting warmed up.
The 30-year-old Tway, whose father Bob won the 1986 PGA Championship, sank a nine-foot birdie putt on the third playoff hole to turn back Ryan Moore and claim his first victory PGA Tour victory in the Safeway Open on the North Course at Silverado Resort and Spa (https://www.silveradoresort.com) in Napa.
“I’m sure he’s crying because he’s pretty proud of me,” said the younger Tway, whose only other pro victory came in the 2013 Albertsons Boise Open on the Web.com Tour. “It’s been a long road and this is why you work so hard, what happened right there.
“It was harder finishing regulation and getting into the playoff. Once the playoff started, I was just trying to hit good shots. Making three birdies is pretty good. I’m kind of at a loss for words right now.”
Tway’s two late birdies gave him a 1-under-par 71 and a 72-hole total of 14-under 274, while Moore sank a nine-foot putt on the 18th hole for his third birdie on the last four holes of regulation to equal that score.
Brandt Snedeker, who led by three strokes heading into the final round, made four bogeys on the back nine in a 74, but still got into the playoff before making a par on the first extra hole to drop out while Tway and Moore each had birdies.
“I played well on the front nine, but lost it on the back,” said Snedeker, who was seeking his 10th PGA Tour victory. “I lost my swing, hit several bad shots and missed some butts. I basically gave it away and it stinks right now, but I’ll get over this and maybe it will help me down the road.”
Aaron Baddeley, who earned a spot in the tournament through the Monday qualifier, birdied the last hole to shoot 69 and finished one stroke back in a tie for fourth with Luke List (67), Troy Merritt (68), Sam Ryder (69) and Sungjae Im (71) of South Korea.
J.B. Holmes closed with a 68 to wind up three shots back in ninth, while Danny Lee of New Zealand totaled 69 and was one more back in a tie for 10th with Jim Knous, who also had a 69, Chase Wright, who finished with a 72, and Bill Haas, who came in at 73.
Phil Mickelson, who flew home from the Ryder Cup last weekend to play at Silverado, tied for 17th after a 72, while Fred Couples, 59, finally ran out of gas with a 75 in what he said might be his last PGA Tour event other than the Masters to tie for 41st, and two-time defending champion Brandan Steele of Idyllwild and UC Riverside tied for 53rd after his own 75.
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