Flesch gains first PGA Tour win

Steve Flesch won for the first time in his career Sunday, capping an impressive comeback with a 35-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole at the HP Classic of New Orleans.

Flesch, who began the day seven shots behind leader Scott Verplank, shot a final-round 65 to finish tied with Bob Estes at 21-under 267.

Verplank held a two-stroke lead with four holes to play, but bogeyed 16 and double-bogeyed 18 to finish a 2-over 74. He ended up third at 19-under.

Flesch joined Mike Weir as the only left-handers to win on tour this year. Weir has won three times, including the Masters last month.

Both Estes and Flesch hit solid tee shots to start the playoff hole, the challenging 471-yard, par-4 18th, which yielded few birdies in the final round. They reached the green comfortably in two.

Flesch's ball was just a few feet from Estes' and about five feet farther from the hole.

The winning putt rolled steady, straight and fast, and when it dropped Flesch leaped into the air and pumped his fist over his head, taking a victory lap around the green.

Estes' chance to extend the playoff never threatened the cup and was wide left.

Flesch pulled within a stroke of the lead with a birdie on 15, but could get no closer. He made a couple of clutch shots to save par on 18, including one from between two sand traps that flew 76 yards and came to rest seven feet from the hole. He made the putt to keep the pressure on Verplank and Estes, who had four holes left.

Flesch moved into a share of the lead while trying to keep warm on the driving range.

Verplank, who struggled to hit greens and fairways all day, made his third bogey of the round on 16 to fall to 21-under. Meanwhile, Estes birdied the hole to create a three-way tie for the lead.

Verplank completed his collapse with an ugly double-bogey that started in the sand and included a shot that sailed into the grandstand.

Estes forced the playoff with a par by getting up and down with a 30-yard chip from the front of the left bunker and straight-on four-foot putt.

He played the final 55 holes of regulation without a bogey.

Rookie Mark Wilson played his best tournament of the season with an 18-under 270 that put him alone in fourth.

The stiff winds that normally protect the wide fairways of the English Turn course finally made an appearance Sunday, after the golfers had their way for three days.

It showed in the final-round scores for almost everyone but Flesch, a six-year veteran who has three second-place finishes, including here in 1999.

Verplank entered the day with a three-stroke lead but it was clear from the start he would have a tough time pulling away for his first victory in two years.

He failed to capitalize on No. 1 when he missed a 6-footer for birdie. He came back with a birdie on the 519-yard par-5 second, but his tee shot on the 200-yard, par-3 No. 3 landed in the sand and had him muttering to himself.

Verplank's mood picked up substantially moments later.

With the wind at his back, Verplank chipped from 21 yards. The shot made the green, then took a long roll toward the stick. When the ball fell for birdie, Verplank dropped his club and raised both arms over his head with clenched fists. He gave his caddy a high-five, then doffed his cap and gave the gallery a wide smile as he moved to 23-under and took a four-stroke lead.

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