Kevin Stadler finally picked up his first win on the PGA Tour at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He has two runners-up and 22 top-10 finishes in 238 career starts on the PGA Tour.
With this win, Stadler has now amassed over $8.8 million in career earnings and qualifies for the Masters for the first time.
On a side note, his father, Craig Stadler is a past champion at the Masters. He won the Green Jacket in 1982 and will be making his last appearance at Augusta National this April.
With both Craig and Kevin Stadler eligible to play in the 2014 Masters, it will be the first time a father and son have been in the same field at the Masters.
Stadler started the day two shots behind the leader, Bubba Watson. Four birdies on the front nine got him even with the leader, but an untidy double-bogey at the par-4 No. 11 seemed to dash his chances.
Watson was not able to accept the gift and continued to make pars throughout his round.
Watson posted a final round even-par 71. He was leading and in control, but a bogey at Nos. 16 dropped him back to a tie with Stadler.
Both men birdied No. 17, but another bogey by Watson at the last hole proved to be the clincher.
Stadler’s final round of three-under par 68 got him to 16-under par for the tournament, one stroke better than Watson.
Graham DeLaet posted his second consecutive 65 on Sunday and finished tied with Watson for runner-up. DeLaet also finished strong last week finishing runner-up at Torrey Pines.
Hunter Mahan and Hideki Matsuyama finished tied for the fourth spot. Matsuyama posted all four rounds in the 60’s and is in his rookie season on the PGA Tour.
Both Matsuyama and DeLaet were members of the International Presidents Cup Team last year and appear to be young stars to watch in future Presidents Cup action.
Charles Howell III carded a final round 65 to move into a tie for sixth spot with Ryan Moore and Brendon Steele at 13-under par.
Defending champion, Phil Mickelson finished well down in the field at T-42. Back issues forced him to withdraw from the Farmers Insurance Open last week and it was questionable whether he would even be able to play this week.
Large crowds and the rowdy spectators at the par-3 No. 16 stadium hole continued to add excitement to this golf tournament.
Tom Weiskopf has been retained to do a $10 million renovation to TPC Scottsdale before next year’s tournament. Let’s hope he is able to retain the excitement that the final few holes at this golf course annually provides.