Graham bests Watson & Dougherty in Play-off
to win Inaugural Challenge
Blake Graham flashed his big smile and raised his
arms as his birdie putt dropped in the hole on the third play-off
hole. It was a big event in his life as he had just won the inaugural
Watson Challenge. Winning was a thrill as it included a $10,000
first place prize and one of the players he beat in the play-off
was none other than Tom Watson!
Graham started the day in second, four shots behind the overnight
leader Sean Dougherty after posting a brilliant 4-under par 66 in
the second round. However, through five holes in the final round,
Dougherty had expanded his lead to seven after he holed out for
eagle on the par 4 fifth. However, Graham did not give up because
he knew around every corner of Hallbrook there lurked a problem.
On the seventh, Dougherty suffered a triple bogey, which was followed
by several bogies. By the time the Dougherty and Graham made it
to the final tee, they were both tied for the at one over par with
one other player. Tom Watson was that other player. Watson, always
the fierce competitor had fought back from his opening round 75
by closing with a 3-under par 68. On eighteen, neither Dougherty
nor Graham was able to convert their short birdie putts thus a sudden
death play-off.
In the sudden death play-off, all three players made par on the
first hole, the par 4 10th hole. On the par 4 11th, all three players
missed the green to the right leaving very difficult chip shots.
Only Watson and Graham were able to get up and down for par. Then
on the third play-off hole, the 578 yard par 5 12th, Graham hit
it inside of Watson on his third shot. Watson grazed the edge of
the hole giving Graham the chance to win. Graham coolly stroked
the putt in the center of the cup for his winning birdie.
