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July 13, 2012

Potter surprises Greenbrier Classic audience

By JONATHAN GREENE Princeton Times

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were expected to be the headliners at the Greenbrier Classic. Yet they weren't there for the weekend.

Instead, relative unknowns Troy Kelly and Ted Potter, Jr. battled down the stretch and into a three-hole playoff before Potter captured his first victory on the PGA Tour Sunday at the Old White TPC Course.

“I mean, just finally to win, I mean, I know it's my first year out here, but just to win, period, I mean, it was just a big relief,” Potter said.

Potter went four-under in his final four holes to force a playoff with Kelly. The playoff started on the par-3 18th, but both players made par on the 18th and the playoff continued to the par-5 17th.

On the 17th, each player put their second shots by the green, but Kelly had a rough stance out of the bunker. Kelly scrambled for a par after barely getting the ball out of the bunker on his third shot giving Potter a chance to win. Potter's birdie putt just missed forcing a third playoff hole.

On the third and final playoff hole, Kelly's tee-shot came up short of the ridge on the green while Potter put his shot five feet from the pin. Kelly's long birdie attempt would come up just short giving Potter the opening he needed. Potter left no doubt as he drained his putt and followed it with an emphatic fist pump.

“Just knowing I've got a couple more years out here to have full exemption, to be able to play what I want to play in and be able to schedule my own tournaments, that's going to be nice,” Potter said with a smile. “I'm looking forward to that.”

Charlie Wi and Charlie Beljan tied for third at 14-under par, two behind Kelly and Potter. Beljan excited the crowds earlier in the week with an eight-under par 62 on Friday. Kelly matched Beljan's efforts Saturday with a 62. Those were the lowest rounds of the tournament.

Daniel Summerhays (-13) finished fifth followed by Martin Flores (-12) in sixth just ahead of a group tied for seventh at 11-under par. Fan favorite John Daly played well all week finishing in a tie for 11th at 10-under par.

First round leader Vijay Singh struggled in the second round and never recovered. He placed in a tie for 33rd at six-under par. 2011 Classic winner Scott Stallings finished tied for 56th at two-under par. Greenbrier Pro Emeritus Tom Watson made the cut for the first time in his second appearance finishing at four-over par for the week.

Woods missed the cut by a shot finishing at even-par following the first two rounds.

Woods needed to birdie his final two holes Friday, but could only manage a birdie at the par-3 18th after leaving his approach shot well shy of his target on the par-5 17th.

Despite his early exit, Woods was pleased with his first experience of West Virginia.

“I had a great time,” he added. “The people here have been just fantastic, very excited to have a tournament here and you can see the people, how excited they were. It's a fun crowd to play in front of. Unfortunately, it's only for a couple days.”

Mickelson joined him as he posted back-to-back 71's to place him two off the cut. It was his second straight missed cut at the Greenbrier Classic in as many appearances.

“I really enjoy the golf course, I think it's just a wonderful test, and I have not played very well on it last year and this year,” Mickelson said after his round Friday. “I don't get it. I mean, I certainly struggled a little bit on the greens both years, but nothing that should have led to these scores.”

Like Woods, Mickelson enjoyed his time, but added he's coming back for more.

“This is certainly a fun place and a place that we [my family] all enjoy,” he said. “Unfortunately, I haven't figured out the golf course yet, but I'm going to keep working on it.”

Spectators and fans will get plenty more chances to see PGA golf at the Greenbrier Classic in the coming years. The Tour and The Greenbrier announced an extension to keep the Classic going through 2021.

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