PEBBLE BEACH, Calif (May 13,
2012) – Just as they
did two years ago Russell Humphrey and James
Watt found themselves in a sudden death
playoff at the end of 54 holes of play, but this
time the outcome worked in their favor.
“I tell you one thing, winning a two-hole
playoff is a lot better of a feeling than losing a
two-hole playoff,” said Humphrey.
“When we found out we were going to a
playoff, Russ said to me ‘well we have
done this before’ and that’s a
huge advantage,” said Watt.
The new four-ball champions had to square
off against Casey Boyns and William Moore, the
team they were paired with for the final 18
holes, as both teams came in with a 54-hole
score of 11-under par 205. Humphrey and
Watt felt in control of their own destiny after
the 14th hole when they made birdie-4
to remain three shots up on Boyns and Moore,
but that’s when their fellow competitors
made their move. Boyns and Moore, who also
were coming off of a birdie on 14, birdied 15
and then incredibly made an eagle-2 on the
17th hole. Moore, who hit his drive to
just 55 yards away from the pin on the short
par 4, knocked in his second shot to tie the
lead going into the 18th. “That made
the 18th really tough to play, it was the
first time all day where I really felt any
nerves,” said Watt, where both teams
parred to force a playoff.
Runner-ups: William Moore and Casey
Boyns. Champions: Russell Humphrey and
James Watt
After swapping pars on the first playoff
hole (No. 10), Boyns and Moore got
themselves in trouble off the ninth tee (the
second playoff hole) as neither player had
reasonable shots at the green. Moore drove his
tee shot in the bunker, while Boyns hit his
drive right of the cart path, forcing both
players to layup well short of the green.
Humphrey and Watt both had shots into the
green, but Humphrey hit his approach over,
while Watt hit his approach on the green 30
feet left of the hole and pin high. After Boyns
and Moore both missed their par putts from
about 10 and 15 feet, respectively, Watt
tapped in the two feet left he had for par for
the win and let out a big cheer.
Third Place: J.R. Becko and Jason
Higton
“We played like we wanted to win
today,” said Watt. “We had a
good game plan and we didn’t get
ahead of ourselves.” The two were also
very happy to lead throughout the three-day
event as they became the first wire-to-wire
winner since Taylor Travis and Ryan Sloane in
2008. On the other hand Boyns and Moore
couldn’t have felt good about the
outcome as now they have a second place,
third place and two fourth place finishes in the
last five years.
Finishing in third were 2011 champions J.R.
Becko and Jason Higton, who shot a 4-under
68 today to get to 10-under 206, one stroke
shy of a playoff. A bogey-6 on the
14th hole spoiled their chances of
successfully defending their title, despite an
eagle on the 11thand finishing off with three
birdies in their last four holes for a back nine of
32. Randy Haag and Darryl Donovan finished
alone in fourth also posting a 4-under 68 to
finish at 9-under par 207. Teams of Eddie
Davis and Jon Peterson and Scott Hardy and
Rick Reinsberg round out the top five as the
two both finished at 8-under par 208. Davis
and Peterson had the round of the tournament
with a 7-under 65 to vault into a tie for fifth.