Sergio Garcia"s chip shot leads to a birdie at AT&T Byron Nelson
By Brad Townsend , Staff Writer Contact Brad Townsend on Twitter:
IRVING -- Although this was the first Nelson playoff since 2011 (when Keegan Bradley beat Ryan Palmer), it was the 20th playoff in tournament history.
Eighteen of those have occurred since 1968, the most on the PGA Tour during that span. Second-most is the Shell Houston Open"s 17 playoffs.
Trend continues
While most fans were pulling for Dallas native Jordan Spieth to win for the first time in Texas, Sergio Garcia"s victory continued a trend of international players winning the event.
Dating to 2000, foreign-born players have won 10 Nelsons, including Garcia"s 2004 and 2016 wins.
Six of those wins have come in the last nine years. Spain"s Garcia joins Australian Adam Scott (2008), South African Rory Sabbatini (2009), Australian Jason Day (2010), South Korean Sang-Moon Bae (2013) and Australian Steven Bowditch (2015).
Just dessert
When Garcia arrived at the Four Seasons this week, waiting in his room was a dessert-replica of a photo that was taken of him and Byron Nelson at the trophy presentation when Garcia won in 2004.
The frame of the photo was made of chocolate and the photo replica is made of edible sugar, made by Four Seasons chef Christof Syre and his pastry team. Early in the week, Garcia said he was trying hard not to eat it.
Garcia said he got another nice surprise on Friday when he received a good-luck letter from Momentous Institute youngster who caddied for Garcia earlier in the week on the 17thhole.
"It was an amazing letter," Garcia said.
And what became of the photo-dessert.
"I"ve taken a couple of bites, but just on the corner," Garcia said. "I couldn"t help myself."
Bud"s week
Bud Cauley is listed at 5-7, 150 pounds, but looks smaller in person. This, however, was a big week for him, culminating with his tie for fourth place Sunday.
He is playing this season on a major medical extension, after having shoulder surgery in 2014 and taking more than a year away from competitive golf.
He had 17 events in which to earn 458 FedExCup points or $742,470 to regain his tour card. The $264,625 he earned Sunday leaves him $323,828 or 258 FedExCup points shy of earning his card. He has 10 starts remaining.
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Source: http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/other-sports/golf/2016/05/22/sergio-garcias-victory-continued-trend-international-players-winning-byron-nelson
