MOOSIC, Penn. -- D.A. Points parred the first playoff hole on Sunday to defeat James Driscoll and win the Northeast Pennsylvania Classic.
The duo ended regulation knotted at 14-under-par 270 and headed to the par-4 18th hole at Glenmaura National Golf Club to begin the sudden-death playoff.
Driscoll, who finished as the runner-up to Jeff Quinney at the 2001 U.S. Amateur Championship, drove into a fairway bunker and was faced with a difficult second shot. From 95 yards out, Driscoll hit his approach into the water and Points took advantage.
Points knocked his second 25 feet from the hole and Driscoll, after taking a drop, hit his fourth shot to 25 feet. Driscoll missed the putt and so did Points, but Points tapped in for par and his first victory of the 2004 season.
‘When he hit it in the water, I knew I had to hit it in the middle,’ said Points.
‘This is fantastic,’ said Points, who pocketed $81,000 for the win. ‘This week, for whatever reason, I was just very comfortable. I’m really proud of myself.’
The win was Points’ second on the Nationwide Tour after titling at the 2001 Inland Empire Open. He captured that event in a playoff as well but this victory on Sunday should not come as a surprise.
His last three starts have been a tie for 16th, a second-place finish at the LaSalle Bank Open and now the victory at Glenmaura.
Points shot a 5-under 66 on Sunday to match Driscoll, who carded a 4-under 67.
Ryuji Imada fashioned a round of 5-under-par 66 and took third place at minus-12. Darron Stiles, the overnight leader, only managed an even-par 71 and came in fourth at 11-under-par 273.
Points tallied two birdies on his front nine, then rattled off three birdies in a row from the 10th. He bogeyed the 13th, birdied No. 17 and parred the last to get into the clubhouse at minus-14.
Driscoll was only 1-under on his round through 13 holes but closed with three birdies in his last five holes to get into the playoff.
Justin Bolli (69) and Bryce Molder (71) tied for fifth at minus-10, followed by Nick Cassini and Boo Weekley, who posted matching rounds of 72 on Sunday to share seventh at 9-under-par 275.
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