Jason Dufner wins 2012 Zurich Classic

After coming up short again and again on the PGA Tour, Jason Dufner was finally able to get a win at the Zurich Classic on Sunday.  It didn’t come easy for Dufner, though, as he actually had to go to a playoff in order to get his first career win.

Jason Dufner came into the final round with a two stroke lead and had been playing great all week, with three rounds of 67 or lower.  However, starting from the first tee on Sunday Dufner had a bit of nervousness, going one over par through his six holes before finally being able to settle down and make two birdies in a row on holes 7 and 8.  After making another birdie on 10, though, Dufner couldn’t get any birdie putts to go his way, allowing other players to creep up on him.

One of those players was Ernie Els, who was seeking to get his first win on Tour since the 2010 season.  Els had come close early in the year at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but shot a final round 75 to play himself out of contention.  However, Els did not allow that to happen again on Sunday, as he shot a great round of 67 that included no bogeys, three birdies and an eagle. 

The key hole of the event came on the 16^th, as Dufner and Els were both tied for the lead heading into the final stretch.  Dufner hit his tee shot into the water on the par 4, making it next to impossible for him to make par unless something miraculous were to happen.  Dufner then proceeded to take a drop and hit an approach shot that landed close to 50 feet away from the pin.  Dufner needed to make it in order to stay tied for the lead, and what does he do?  He calmly steps up and drains the putt for an incredible par. After that happened, you pretty much knew Jason was destined to win the event, but he would have to continue clawing his way through to get it.

After both players made par the event then moved into a playoff between the two.  On the first playoff hole, both Els and Dufner had good chances at making birdie inside of 15 feet, but neither were able to capitalize.  Then then moved onto the second playoff hole, where a bad tee shot by Ernie pretty much cost him the event, as Dufner was able to make an easy birdie to win it outright. 

A win was going to happen sooner or later for Dufner, as he is just too talented of a golfer not to get a win.  For Els, it was the putter yet again that hurt him, and one has to wonder how many times he will be in this position as he continues to age.