Marc Leishman and Cam Smith celebrate their victory at TPC Louisiana
Avondale, Louisiana – Marc Leishman and Cam Smith overcame a near disaster on the 16th hole Sunday when Smith sank a seven-foot par putt on the first playoff hole to defeat Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana.
On the first extra hole, Oosthuizen, hit his tee shot into the water and the South African duo finished with a double-bogey. “As soon as Louie hit his drive into the water, we were always going to lay up (on the par-5 hole),” said Smith, who claimed his third PGA Tour victory, all in playoffs.
“It was nice to hit three good shots to get the win. “It was a pretty cool week and we really played some good golf. It was really tough coming in on the back nine, but we hung in there and got it done.” Leishman and Smith posted a 2-under-par 70 in the alternate-shot format of the final round, while 54-hole leaders Schwartzel and Oosthuizen posted 71 (both both teams finished at 20-under 268).
Oosthuizen’s wayward drive to open the playoff was pivotal, but another came when Smith hit is drive on the 302-yard 16th hole into the water left of the green. Leishman took a drop on the fringe left of the hole and holed the chip for a birdie to win the hole and square the match, before both teams finished with a bogey on the 71st hole and a par on the last to finish regulation play. “I wasn’t walking up there thinking I wanted to jab him in the ribs or anything, I was just concentrating on the next shot,” said Leishman. “I was lucky to take my drop on an upslope for the next shot. I was trying to make it and I did. It was fun doing that. “Cam didn’t hit a bad shot there. In fact it might sound silly, but he hit a really good shot and it just got caught on the wind. “ … It’s not often you can celebrate winning with a friend and fellow player. It’s a special win.”
Scores:
