Sorenson of Minnesota claims first Srixon Series event in sudden death

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Jeff Sorenson of Blaine, Minn., sank an 18-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole Tuesday to win the opening event of the 31st annual Srixon PGA Tournament Series at the PGA Golf Club.

Sorenson, 29, a teaching professional at Columbia Golf Club in Minneapolis, outlasted three other players after they tied at 4-under-par 140 on the 7,024-yard Wanamaker Course.

Tim Weinhart of Suwanee, Ga., and Rick Schuller of Chester, Va., were eliminated with bogeys on the first extra hole, the par-4 18th. Then Charles Meola of Mamaroneck, N.Y., missed his six-foot birdie putt at the par-5 first, giving the win to Sorenson.

"It was a downhill, downgrain putt that dropped in the hole on the last roll," Sorenson said. He had hit his third shot from some deep grass short of the green, "just about the worst lie I've had in a long time."

In regulation, Sorenson had four birdies and a bogey, making several key shots near the end of the round. In regulation, after "chunking," he said, his 5-iron tee shot at the par-3 17th hole, Sorenson wedged from 30 yards short of the green to within 10 feet and made the putt; two-putted for par from 20 feet at the par-4 18th; then sank a 12 footer for par at No. 18 in the playoff.

Sorenson received $5,000, a career record for one check in golf, he said, from the $34,500 purse. Weinhart, Schuller and Meola earned $2,900 apiece.

David Von Hoffman of West Palm Beach missed the playoff by a shot at 68-141, worth $2,000, and received an additional $1,000 as the low pro playing the Srixon ball throughout the competition. Danny Balin of Rockville, Md., the first-round leader, closed with 74-142, sixth among 102 starters.

Weinhart, a teaching professional at St. Marlo CC in Duluth, Ga., closed with 67, the low round of the tournament, on nine birdies and four bogeys; Schuller, director of instruction at Swader's Sports Park in Colonial Heights, Va., had six birdies and two bogeys for 68; and Meola, an assistant at Fairview CC in Greenwich, Conn., scored his second straight 70 with four birdies and two bogeys.

The second of six Tournament Series events is scheduled Thursday and Friday at Hammock, Creek GC in Palm City.

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