Monday, January 7, 2008

Chopra Hangs on to win at Kapalua

Daniel Chopra earned another trip to Hawaii next year with his win yesterday in the winners-only Mercedes-Benz Championship but more importantly, he's earned a ticket to Augusta. "I get to go to Augusta, my lifelong dream" he said after beating Steve Stricker on the fourth playoff hole.

He should have had it wrapped up much sooner than that but a series of really bad breaks kept Stricker alive but Chopra's bad luck streak finally ended on the 4th playoff hole. He had a chance to avoid a playoff entirely with a 12 footer for birdie on the 72nd hole but the ball stopped an inch from the cup. Back to the 18th where it came down to a 7 foot putt to win but again he was denied as the putt just missed on the right side.

He had a 25 footer to win on the 2nd playoff hole but again was denied as the ball literally hung over the cup but wouldn't drop - no Tiger-like drama for Daniel. He was so confident that putt was dropping that he raised his club in celebration only to crumble to the green in dispair as it defied gravity.

He's got guts though & kept battling to finally win the trophy, the car & the $1.1 million check - what a way to start the year!

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