MAGNOLIA, Texas (March 30, 2008)--David Pocknall trailed Tom McGraw by three strokes going into the final round of the 2008 TGA South Region Mid-Amateur Championship. After 16 holes he still trailed by two, but a bogey-bogey finish by McGraw left both players tied at 4-under-par 212 after 54 holes sending the match into a sudden-death playoff. On the first hole, Pocknall, of Katy, made a routine par while McGraw, of Montgomery, hit his tee shot into a lateral water hazard and ended up making a double bogey, allowing Pocknall to claim the title.

“We had both played so hard for 54 holes it was tough that someone had to lose,” Pocknall said. “We all love to compete, and you just never know what is going to happen, so you keep competing.”

Andy Cooper of The Woodlands and David Leiss of Houston tied for third place at 213, one shot out of the playoff. Cooper had a final round 68 while Leiss, who was only one shot off the pace going into the final round, had a 73. Six players tied for fifth place at two under par 214.

Pocknall and McGraw went back and forth throughout the final round, and were also aware that Cooper was closing in. When McGraw chipped in for birdie on the par-5 16th hole and Pocknall’s birdie putt just missed, it gave McGraw a two shot advantage with two holes to play. A bogey on the par three 17th and a three putt bogey on the final hole by McGraw set up the playoff.

Full results from the Lake Windcrest Golf Club follow: