April 29 (Reuters) – American Jason Dufner gave himself a
well-timed early wedding gift by clinching his first PGA Tour
title in a playoff with Ernie Els at the New Orleans Classic in
Avondale, Louisiana, on Sunday.
Just six days before his marriage to girlfriend Amanda Boyd,
Dufner ended a winless run of 163 starts on the U.S. circuit by
beating South African Els with a two-putt birdie on the second
extra hole.
“It’s a great way to start the week for Amanda and me,” the
35-year-old Dufner told reporters after sealing victory with a
one-footer on the 18th green at the TPC Louisiana.
“It’s a great wedding present for both of us, helps with
paying for the wedding, obviously. They’re a little bit more
expensive than I thought or had imagined,” he added with a grin.
Dufner, who twice lost out in playoffs on the PGA Tour last
season, was delighted to fend off Els after they had finished
the regulation holes deadlocked at 19-under-par 269.
“It’s always really tough playing on Sundays, whether you’re
in the lead or the middle of the pack,” said the laid-back
American with the distinctive pre-shot waggle.
“Today I was fighting, trying to win an event and I think I
showed myself a good bit out there. It was tough.
“Obviously I haven’t had a great history in playoffs last
year and it kind of goes through your mind: ‘I’m in another
playoff, am I going to be able to get this done?'”
Continued…
