Parnevik wins title on third extra hole

IRVING, MAY 15. Sweden's Jesper Parnevik tapped in a two-foot par putt on the third play-off hole to win the Byron Nelson Classic.

Parnevik, who missed a one-foot par putt for the lead on the 12th hole, captured the $720,000 first-place prize on Sunday after going into extra holes with Davis Love III and Phil Mickelson.

It was Parnevik's second win of the season, along with the Bob Hope Classic, and the fourth of his PGA tour career.

The three play-off contenders - all ranked in the world's top 12, Love at No.6, Mickelson 9th and Parnevik 12th - all finished four regulation rounds at 11-under-par 269.

Parnevik, who began the day three shots behind Love and John Huston, shot a final-round 66. Mickelson carded a 65. Love shot 69.

Tiger Woods and John Huston tied for fourth, one shot out of the play-off, with a 10-under 270.

``After the putt I missed on 12, I didn't think I would be in a play-off,'' Parnevik said. ``It was so close all day, so many players were back and forth, and a lot of guys missed a lot of chances.''

Love, who owned part of the lead for the first three rounds, missed a seven-foot putt on the 18th hole of regulation that would have won the tournament, then missed a five-footer on the third play-off hole which would have continued the play-off with Parnevik.

``I just missed a couple of putts today and a couple of fairways and it cost me,'' Love said. ``If I had just played decent today and Saturday, it wouldn't have been close and that is the most disappointing thing.''

Mickelson was eliminated on the first play-off hole when his 12- foot par putt lipped out.

``I lost the tournament not on the play-off hole, but when I bogeyed the 18th in regulation. I had a one-shot lead going to the 18th and to make a bogey there is very bad,'' said.

World No.1 Woods carded a final-day 63, but came up just short in his bid for another improbable comeback victory after beginning the day seven shots out of the lead.

``I played beautiful today, really beautiful,'' Woods said.

``I thought I needed to get to double digits (under par) and shoot a 62 or 63 to have a chance.''

He missed an 18-foot uphill putt on the 18th hole which would have gotten him into the play-off.

Woods ignited his charge when he holed a 98-yard shot from the fairway on the par-4 fourth hole. His ball hit the green one foot behind the cup and spun back into the hole. The fans crowding the green roared their approval as Woods thrust both arms into the air in victory.

By the time the leaders teed off, Woods had cut the seven-shot deficit to just four and continued his climb up the leader board with birdies on the par-5 seventh and the par-4 ninth, finishing the front nine at 5-under 30 and one shot off the lead. - Reuters

Jesper Parnevik (left) and legend Byron Nelson hold the Byron Nelson Classic Trophy which Parnevik won after a three-hole sudden death play-off on Sunday.

- Reuters

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