Runge wins at first playoff hole

Steve Runge holed out of a bunker for a birdie on the first playoff hole to defeat Chris Smith for the title at the Buy.com Richmond Open. Runge earned his first career win on the Buy.com Tour and picked up a first-prize of $72,000.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," said Runge. "I had a good lie in the bunker. I was just trying to get it close."

Smith, meanwhile, finished as the runner-up for the third straight week. He was the runner-up at Knoxville and South Carolina the past two weeks, and is now second on the Buy.com Tour money list despite not finding the winner's circle.

Runge and Smith, college roommates at Ohio State, finished 72 holes tied at eight-under 272. Runge carded a four-under 66 that included a birdie at the final hole, while Smith shot a three-under 67. Smith could have won the tournament in regulation, but bogeyed the 18th hole.

"I don't feel I've ever given a tournament away in my life and I gave one away today," said Smith. "I'm standing out there in the middle of the fairway with the golf tournament in my pocket and all I have to do is make par."

Instead, Smith hit his approach into the same bunker that Runge would later find. Smith's ball was buried in the trap and he was able to blast it out into the rough around the green. He then chipped to three feet and made the bogey putt to make sure he at least forced a playoff.

Brett Quigley, who shared the lead entering the final round, carded a one-over 71 on Sunday and finished tied for third at six- under with Dick Mast and Ian Leggatt.

Spike McRoy was atop the leaderboard with Quigley at the start of the day, but struggled to a two-over 72 and finished at five-under. Conrad Ray, Steve Woods and Michael Muehr also finished at minus-five.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page