Perry bests Hoffman in playoff, wins FBR Open

2009-02-03

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SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA (TICKER) —Kenny Perry survived a scare and outlasted Charley Hoffman in the third hole of the playoff to win the FBR Open on Sunday.

A three-time PGA Tour winner last season, Perry finished 2-under for the day and 14-under for the tournament TPC Scottsdale.

Hoffman shot 4-under on Sunday to also finish 14-under and Kevin Na was unable to sink an eight-foot putt on 18 and settled for a 3-under on Sunday to finish one stroke behind.

The 48-year-old Perry had to settle for a playoff after bogeying the 18th hole. After Perry and Hoffman recorded a bogey and par on the first two playoff holes, Perry was able to emerge victorious and claim his 13th PGA Tour victory.

“To me, this is a place I always felt like I could win,” Perry said. “I always felt very comfortable on this golf course, and for whatever reason, I didn’t putt well these last two days. But I hit it good enough to do well, and I thought it was going to be a special day.”

On the par-4 17th hole, Perry’s tee shot went to the right of the green before chipping in a 22-foot birdie.

“The playoff was ugly,” Perry said. “We were hitting it everywhere, having to scramble from all over the place. But that was neat for me to make a putt - that’s probably the first putt I’ve ever made to win.

“Those are the putts you think about when you’re a kid; you’re on the putting green saying, ‘This is to win the Masters’ or whatever, and I finally made one. It took me a long time to do it.”

For his part, Hoffman was unable to answer as his tee shot flew into the bunker. He later chipped to the fringe, but his 34-foot attempt for birdie was off the mark.

“Unfortunately, obviously, (I) didn’t get it done,” said Hoffman, whose only victory on the PGA Tour came in the 2007 Bob Hope Classic.

“Kenny gave me a few opportunities, I gave him a few opportunities and he happened to close the door. … Obviously in the playoff, Kenny and I got in some trouble off the tee on 1. Then I had my chance on 18, then I had my chance on 10 and didn’t do it.”

For his part, Na didn’t lament his final putt which went awry, resulting in his third-place finish.

“I hit a good putt, just misread the green a little bit,” he said. “I putted awesome today. I made all the clutch putts I needed to. I’m disappointed, but I’m proud of myself.”