Bryce Molder wins Frys.com Open

Bryce Molder claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the Frys.com Open at Cordevalle GC, California. The American came through a six-hole playoff against countryman Briny Baird.

Bryce Molder
Fergus Bisset
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published

Bryce Molder claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the Frys.com Open at Cordevalle GC, California. The American came through a six-hole playoff against countryman Briny Baird.

In regulation play, Baird looked the likely winner when he chipped in for an eagle from just short of the 17th green. But, moments later, Molder holed a birdie effort on the final green to close with a 64 and finish on a four-round total of -17. Baird could only match that number and a playoff ensued.

The players went back to the driveable 17th and played it and the 18th three more times each before a winner was finally found.

Three times at the driveable 17th Molder left himself eagle opportunities but each one narrowly missed the hole and Baird was able to match his birdies.

The second extra time down the 18th, it once again looked like Baird would take the win when Molder drove into the hazard. But Molder found his ball and hacked out to the front of the green. Despite hitting the pin with his approach, Baird was unable to make birdie.

On the sixth extra hole, the third time down the 18th, Molder finally made a putt to take the title.

"It's a little surreal right now," Molder said. "You practice and work, and you just hope there's some validating behind it. I don't feel I deserved to win. But I happened to settle myself down to play."

Although disappointed, Baird could console himself with the fact that his second place cheque for $540,000 guarantees his status on the PGA Tour next season.

Tiger Woods closed with a 68 to finish the week in a tie for 30th. There was excitement surrounding the former World Number 1 out on the course, particularly on the 7th green when a man ran towards him and threw a hot-dog in his direction. A 31-year-old was later arrested.

"I guess he wanted to be in the news," said Tiger.

England's Paul Casey was in contention going into the final round but a disappointing level par round of 71 saw him finish in an eight-way tie for seventh.

Frys.com Open CordeVealle Golf Club, California Oct 6-9, purse $5,000,000, par 71

1   Bryce Molder (USA)   71   67   65   64   267   $900,000 2   Briny Baird (USA)      67   69   64   67   267   $540,000 3   Bud Cauley (USA)   69   66   68   66   269   $340,000 T4   Shane Bertsch (USA)   70   68   68   64   270   $220,000 T4   Ernie Els (RSA)      69   66   67   68   270   $220,000 6   John Rollins (USA)   69   70   65   67   271   $180,000 T7   Paul Casey (Eng)      70   64   68   71   273   $130,313 T7   Adam Hadwin (Can)   71   68   64   70   273   $130,313    T7   David Hearn (Can)   71   68   69   65   273   $130,313 T7   Billy Horschel (USA)   72   68   68   65   273   $130,313 T7   Spencer Levin (USA)   71   67   69   66   273   $130,313 T7   Matt McQuillan (Can)   70   68   68   67   273   $130,313 T7   Brendan Steele (USA)   67   71   68   67   273   $130,313 T7   Josh Teater (USA)   71   68   66   68   273   $130,313

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage only

Where next? European Tour - Lee Slattery wins Madrid Masters

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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