Wow- what a KICKOFF to the 2014 Matchplay- 5 matches completed, 4 of which went to the final hole and 3 that went to playoffs- with 3 distinct playoff formats.
Buzz over J.O., 4&3: match was close until early on the back 9 when Buzz was able to capitalize on a couple mistakes by Osborne and take control of the match.
Weber over Rone, 1up: came down to the last hole as both players fared well at Nevel. Weber led through the back nine but could not put away the pesky Rone until the final hole
Powell over Quintana, playoff: Q buried a putt on 18 to force a playoff. The two hiked back to 100yrd marker and played in: Powell hitting the green and carefully 2 putting as Q went long and nearly recovered but couldn’t get his first putt down.
Dino over Brown, playoff: a complete blood bath as the first 14 holes resulted in one player or other winning with par, birdie, or (net) eagle. Finally 2 holes were halved and Dino went dormie coming off 16, but Steve came roaring back with a clutch par on 17 and birdie on 18 to square the match. Exhausted after 18 holes of inter family warfare, the two took their playoff to the putting green where Dino eventually send Steve home packing.
Weining over Cummins, playoff: Upset of the year as the unheralded Weining came blitzing out the gate with a strong opening 43 to take the early advantage. Cummins, coming off his HC victory last month, came storming back with a KAGT record setting 34 on the back nine to pull even on the last hole. The two kept throwing punches through a 3-hole playoff format with Weining able to sink the clutch putts down the stretch.
Great day of golf action.