FORTY-FOUR year old American Ken Duke has finally broken through for a US PGA Tour win after 19 years and 187 starts.
It probably helps that he was born in a town called Hope in Arkansas, had a little luck along the way and the strength of mind to survive a two hole playoff.
Duke shot a final round 4-under 66 at the 2013 Travelers Championship and had his first title in the bag till fellow countryman Chris Stroud holed a 50-foot chip shot on the last for birdie to join him on 12-under and force the playoff.
After both players made par on the first playoff hole, Duke hit a wedge from 117 yards to three feet and made the birdie for his first win.
“Yeah, it’s been a long time,” said Duke, who turned pro in 1994.” I’ve been on the Canadian Tour, the mini tours, Asian Tour, South American Tour, all of them; Web.com, and it’s just great to be a part of this big family on the PGA TOUR.”
Duke wouldn’t have been in position to win at all had luck not intervened on the 10th hole, when his ball ricocheted off a tree and onto the green to about 5 feet from the pin, allowing him to make birdie.
“You gotta believe in yourself in everything you do,” Duke said. “That’s why those guys at the top are winning week in, week out because they believe they can do it. It’s kind of one of those things once you finally do it it might come easier the next time. That’s kind of the way I feel.”
Stroud (66) finished second with Canadian Graham DeLaet (69) third on 11-under and Bubba Watson (70) in his best finish for a while fourth on 10-under.
Stuart Appleby closed with a 68 to be the leading Australian five shots from the winner while Nick O’Hern was well placed coming into the final day at the TPC River Highlands in Connecticut but fell back with a four-over 74.
Defending Champion Marc Leishman had three good rounds but won’t be happy with his final round 73 and 3-under, T30 finish.
Travelers Championship Leaderboard