Generation next in golf's overlooked season
By: Kevin Dunleavy
Examiner Staff Writer
10/25/09 9:51 PM EDT
After the FedEx Cup, the PGA Tour's fall series is relegated to the Golf Channel and strained story lines about players trying to retain their playing privileges.
But Sunday, the Frys.com Open in Scottsdale, Ariz., was an intriguing look at two of golf's next generation of stars as Jamie Lovemark, 21, and Rickie Fowler, 20, battled veteran Troy Matteson, 29, in a playoff.
With a brilliant 6-iron shot from 185 yards out to within 2 feet on the second playoff hole, Matteson made the winning birdie to claim the tournament for the second time and assure his slot on the 2010 PGA Tour.
But the event was notable for the play of the 6-foot-4 Lovemark, who won the NCAA championship as a freshman at USC, and the sweet-swinging Fowler, who turned pro last month after playing at Oklahoma State. Both shot 64 in the final round Sunday to come from four shots back.
Lovemark made his clutch run late, playing the final eight holes in 5-under and shooting a 30 on the back nine. Fowler made his early. He had a hole-in-one at No. 5 in addition to seven birdies. A bad drive and a bogey at No. 18 prevented him from winning the tournament outright.
Neither played good approaches as they nervously navigated the two playoff holes. But both will have many more chances to win on the PGA Tour.
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