PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - It would seem the odds were against Eugene Smith Friday as he faced MLGT all time leading money winner Jimmy Lytle and all time victory leader Justin Peters in a playoff at Santa Lucia River Club, but maybe the course owed him one.
On this course in May of '09, it seemed like it was Eugene Smith's day. He made a hole-in-one on the third hole and ended up in a 4-man playoff. In that playoff he hit his tee shot OB on the first extra hole--the difficult par-4 18th, but made birdie with his second ball to score a bogey. The other players had not done better. Steve Hart was in position to win when his center cut 3 footer for par somehow did not fall, giving Smith new life. Steve Hart made a 15 birdie putt on the second extra hole (hole #1) moments before Smith missed his 10 foot birdie try.
Today, in the playoff, Smith and Jimmy Lytle birdied the first extra hole (hole #1) and Smith won at the second when Lytle did not get up and down for par.
Windy, cool conditions made the trecherous Santa Lucia River Club even more difficult that usual. After the three players in the playoff at 70, Amateur Alejandro Garmendia and Stephen Grant tied for fourth at even par 72, three shots ahead of a foursome at 3-over par 75.
The fourth annual Fuzion Minor League Golf Tour Match Play event starts Monday at The Fountains Country Club in Lake Worth.
There was $190 in the skins pot with 4 skins out worth $47.50 each.
#4 - Michael Mann (Eagle)
#7 - Eugene Smith
#10 - Adam Condello
#18 - Greg Pace
| Score | Player | Amount | Hometown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | Eugene Smith | 1 | $800.00 | Glen Ridge, NJ |
| 70 | Jimmy Lytle | T2 | $515.00 | Ocean Ridge, FL |
| 70 | Justin Peters | T2 | $515.00 | Stuart, FL |
| 72 | Stephen Grant | T4 | $377.50 | Birr, Ireland |
| 72 | Alejandro Garmendia | T4 | $377.50 | Pompano Beach, FL |
| 75 | Chelsea Curtis | T6 | $238.75 | New Seabury, MA |
| 75 | Nick Kenney | T6 | $238.75 | Toronto, Ontario |
| 75 | Steve LeBrun | T6 | $238.75 | West Palm Beach, FL |
| 75 | Andrew Stephens | T6 | $238.75 | Union, KY |
| 76 | Marc Issler | 10 | $165.00 | Toms River, NJ |
| 77 | Ken Martin | T11 | $110.00 | Wellington |
| 77 | James Donahoe | T11 | $110.00 | Murrieta, CA |
| 77 | Dustin Wallis | T11 | $110.00 | Noble, OK |
| 77 | Adam Condello | T11 | $110.00 | Fairport, NY |
| 77 | Jacob Korb | T11 | $110.00 | Newtown, PA |
| 78 | Sunny Kim | T16 | $71.00 | Queens, NY |
| 78 | Jesse Larson | T16 | $71.00 | Mendon, VT |
| 79 | Andrew Giuliani | T18 | $31.00 | New York |
| 79 | Matthieu Pavon (a) | T18 | $31.00 |