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Garcia Clinches Players Championship Win

By Jamie Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted May 11, 2008 9:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – Sergio Garcia ended the longest victory drought of his career today by making a clutch par putt to force a playoff, and then adding another par on the TPC Sawgrass' notorious island green 17th hole to defeat Paul Goydos in The Players Championship. Goydos, playing in the final group, missed a 15-foot par putt on the last hole for the win and closed with a 74.

Haunted by putting problems that kept him without a victory the past three years and 53 events on the U.S. golf tour, Garcia sunk a 45-foot birdie attempt on the 14th and a 7-foot par putt on the 18th hole for a 1-under 71. It was the first playoff at The Players since 1987. Garcia and Goydos finished at 5-under 283.

Sergio Garcia, of Spain, holds the winner's trophy after winning The Players Championship today in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.  Garcia won on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.
Sergio Garcia, of Spain, holds the winner's trophy after winning The Players Championship today in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Garcia won on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.   (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Sergio Garcia celebrates after sinking a par putt on the 18th hole during the final round of The Players Championship golf tournament today. Garcia went on to defeat Paul Goydos in a playoff.
Sergio Garcia celebrates after sinking a par putt on the 18th hole during the final round of The Players Championship golf tournament today. Garcia went on to defeat Paul Goydos in a playoff.   (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Paul Goydos rests his chin on his putter as he waits to putt his par putt on the 18th hole during the final of The Players Championship golf tournament today.
Paul Goydos rests his chin on his putter as he waits to putt his par putt on the 18th hole during the final of The Players Championship golf tournament today.   (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
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