Swede Daniel Chopra claimed his second PGA Tour win with victory in the Mercedes-Benz Championship. The first event of 2008 provided plenty of drama with Chopra twice missing birdie putts for the win.
American Steve Stricker shot a fantastic final round of 64 to tie with Chopra on 18-under-par. Chopra had an opportunity to claim victory in regulation time but his 12-foot birdie putt finished just short of the hole on 18. He left another birdie putt agonisingly close on the first play-off hole and both men made pars at the 1st and 2nd. Chopra then made a two-putt birdie at the par-5 9th, to take victory.
Canadian Mike Weir had held a one-shot victory going into the final round but finished with a round of 70 and dropped back to fourth place.
Chopra had never played the Plantation Course at the Kapalua Resort, Hawaii but knew the layout thanks to watching the event on television and playing the course on his PlayStation. The win earns him a spot at Augusta where he will make his debut in The Masters.
"I'm awfully happy. Now I get to go to Augusta, my lifelong dream," he said.
Mercedes-Benz Championship
-18 Daniel Chopra (Swe)*
-18 Steve Stricker (USA)
-17 Stephen Ames (Can)
-16 Mike Weir (Can)
*Chopra wins at fourth play-off hole
