JUPITER, Fla. – Eric Cole of Orlando, FL, made three straight playoff birdies Thursday at Abacoa Golf Club to win for the 28th time on the Minor League Golf Tour. Coincidentally, the winning, four-foot birdie putt was at the par-4 12th hole where Cole made a double bogey earlier in the day.
Cole finished with four birdies on each nine and a bogey at the par-3 13th hole after the double at No. 12. At 67, he outlasted Eric Steger of Noblesville, IN, Brandon Smith of West Palm Beach, FL and Mike Miller of Brewster, NY, each with six birdies and a bogey.
Cole, Steger and Smith birdied the par-5 10th hole, Cole and Steger the par-4 11th and Cole won the 12th (3rd playoff hole) after Steger missed his birdie from 12 feet. Cole won his first MLGT start in August, 2009. Miller has a win and three runnerup finishes in his last four starts.
Cole collected $1,000 from the $7,010 purse and an additional $170 from an optional bonus pool. Steger, Smith and Miller received $610 apiece as they tied for second among 57 starters in the 32nd tournament of the year.
Next on the schedule: Monday, Winston Trails GC, Lake Worth; Wednesday, Atlantis CC; and Thursday, Martin Downs CC, Palm City.