Kicking is difficult enough using a regulation putter, but using a wedge is just ridiculous. That’s exactly what American Robert Streb was forced to do after breaking his putter midway through his round during the Greenbrier Classic on the American Tour.
Streb was just one stroke behind the leader when his putter broke against the base of a tree after he threw it to his caddie on the ninth hole during the final round. A real calamity for Streb because he was still in contention for the lead, one stroke off the lead with nine holes to play.
“I wanted to throw the putter right next to the bag and it hit the bottom and the head flew off,” he explained.
A player may replace a club during a round only when it is damaged during the execution of a stroke, so Streb was forced to improvise, opting to use his sand wedge as a putter.
What looked to be a disaster for Streb turned into a miracle as he managed to make five birdies with his makeshift putter on the back nine holes to seal a round of 65, five under par. The incredible round included a magnificent 10-meter putt on 13 and a birdie on 18 that helped Streb match the three players in the lead with whom he would play a playoff.
Having finished his round, Streb was able to trade his wedge for a putter to complete the playoff. In an even stranger twist of fate, Streb didn’t even get to use his putter.
Streb missed the green with his tee shot on the first playoff hole and then used the wedge to chip to the green. He was finally eliminated when playoff opponents David Hearn and Danny Lee both carded birdies before Streb had a chance to kick in.
New Zealander Lee won the tournament, his first PGA Tour victory.
Despite losing the playoff Streb pocketed $500,000.
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