NEWS

Andrew Svoboda wins Chiquita Classic on first hole of sudden death

By Associated Press
Published on
Andrew Svoboda wins Chiquita Classic on first hole of sudden death

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Andrew Svoboda won the Chiquita Classic on Sunday, beating Will MacKenzie with a par on the first hole of a playoff in the second tournament in the four-event Web.com Tour Finals series. 

Svoboda tapped in for par on the par-5 18th, and won when MacKenzie – who chipped in for eagle on the hole in regulation – missed a 5-footer. Svoboda shot a 2-under 70 to match MacKenzie at 12 under. 

Svoboda earned $180,000. The former St. John's player, the Price Cutter Charity Championship winner last month, had already wrapped up a PGA Tour card by finishing 25th on the Web.com Tour money list. 

"I'm set now for next year," he said. "I think if I drive it good and my short game is good I will have a chance next year on tour." 

MacKenzie finished with a 67. He made $108,000. 

The bulk of the field was made up of players in the top 75 on the Web.com Tour money list and Nos. 126-200 in the PGA Tour's FedExCup standings. The top 25 on the Web.com money list are assured PGA Tour cards, while the other players are fighting for 25 additional cards through earnings in the four-event series. 

The leading money winner in the series will earn a spot in The Players Championship. 

Ben Martin and John Peterson tied for third, a stroke back, Martin shot 68, and Peterson had a 71. Japan's Ryo Ishikawa was fifth at 10 under after a 66.