2015 MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
Right: Masters champion Jordan Spieth shot a final-round 65 to tie for third place. Far right: Francesco Molinari almost made it a three-man race but found water on the 16th hole to end his bid. Below: Rose had a close encounter with patrons on Sunday when his approach shot from a bunker on the 18th hole hit a spectator
Justin Rose of England was ahead after 54 holes and on this Sunday afternoon amusement park thrill ride, he lost the lead three times and found it again three times. At the 18th, Rose drove it into an awkward lie in a fairway bunker and then shanked—yes, shanked!—his approach shot WTHR, or Way The Heck Right as it’s known in polite company. Rose’s ball beaned Mr. Luckless Fan. You could say Rose skulled the shot, but that would be a cruel turn of phrase, so let’s not. When the Englishman arrived to survey the situation, the two shook hands and shared a laugh. So he lived to tell the tale.
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The pro still faced a dicey 55-yard shot from the rough after the cranial carom. Justin rose to the occasion (pun intended) and dropped a wedge shot that stopped 2 feet from the hole. Rose turned and pointed his club at the unlucky fan and smiled, perhaps giving him the message, “That one’s for you, buddy.” Rose then made the par putt to force a playoff with Lingmerth. It capped quite a finish, too, since Rose had three-putted the 16th hole for bogey but birdied the 71st hole to draw even with Lingmerth, playing in the group ahead. The pair completed 72 holes in 15-under 273, Lingmerth after a 3-under 69 and Rose a 72. The real fun began in the playoff. Lingmerth found the fairway bunker at the 18th while Rose found the fairway. When Lingmerth missed the green left, it looked as if Rose might have one hand on the trophy. Then he pulled his approach shot long and left and had a difficult pitch. Lingmerth’s chip ran 10 feet past. Uh-oh. Then Rose’s flop shot careened 20 feet beyond on the cup. Another uh-oh. Advantage Lingmerth. Rose’s putt was so fast, it curled around the cup and dropped in from the back side— unbelievable! Nicklaus, watching from the hillside, threw his hands up in amazement while Rose’s young son, Leo, shouted in delight. Advantage Rose. Then Lingmerth poured in his par putt to keep the playoff going.
PGA TOUR IMAGES (3)
instead of the green.
THE MEMORIAL
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