Stanley outlasts Howell III in playoff at Potomac

When the 1986 Pensacola Open began, Ernie Gonzalez’s claim to PGA TOUR fame was his 10th-place finish at the Bank of Boston Classic a month earlier. That was his career-best performance. After rain delayed play both Thursday and Friday at the October tournament in Florida’s Panhandle, Gonzalez moved to the top of the leaderboard—thanks to an eagle and five birdies over his final nine holes of the second round Saturday at Perdido Bay Country Club. Gonzalez led Joey Sindelar by a shot, with a Sunday 36-hole finale looming. Those 36 holes never came as the rain that fell as Gonzalez finished his second round only intensified, becoming torrential at times. Unplayable course conditions left officials no choice but to cancel the final two rounds and declare Gonzalez the winner. That victory, Gonzalez’s lone PGA TOUR title, remained the highlight of his PGA TOUR career. The California native of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent died in a Chicago hospital of causes due to Alzheimer’s disease. He was 59. Gonzalez, the third lefthander to win a PGA TOUR event—behind Sam Adams and Bob Charles—was born February 19, 1961 in the San Diego suburb of Chula Vista. He attended nearby U.S. International University, where he was a member of the golf team, and he turned pro in 1983. Gonzalez joined the TOUR in 1985. Following a 171st-place money-list finish in 1985, Gonzalez regained his playing privileges at that season’s Qualifying Tournament. His second year on TOUR was his high-water mark, making 25 appearances and getting to the weekend 13 times. Besides the win and the top-10 in Boston, he added a tie for third at the weather-shortened, 54-hole Vantage Championship in San Antonio, sharing third place with Ronnie Black, Phil Blackmar and Bobby Clampett, five shots behind winner Ben Crenshaw. Gonzalez finished the 1986 season 68th on the final money list. His $48,000 payday in San Antonio was a career-best, $7,500 more than his haul from Pensacola as officials reduced the Pensacola Open purse by 25 percent due to the two lost rounds. Following his victory, Gonzalez met with assembled reporters and talked about the long and productive week. “I was pretty nervous when I came out this morning. All we’ve been doing is sitting back and waiting. The waiting is tougher than the playing. I don’t know how to react.� He then paused, deciding on his words, before continuing. “It’s a win, and I’m happy. Realistically, my goal was to keep my card. Getting the win is a surprise and a big break.� Of his lone TOUR win, Gonzalez always contended, his opening-round 63 “was probably the best I’ve ever played.� Gonzalez’s victory did not lead to additional success on TOUR. By 1988, he had fallen to 207th on the money list and began playing sparingly after that, relying on his past-champion status to get into events. Between 1990 and 1998, he saw action in 38 tournaments but did play in at least one tournament every year from 1999 to 2010. His last made cut came at the 2009 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, a week where he showed he still had a little game remaining. After opening with a disappointing, 4-over 75 in the first round at TPC Summerlin, Gonzalez shaved 12 strokes off his score in the second round, firing a 63 that included a wild stretch of four birdies, a double bogey and an eagle on the back nine that moved him inside the cutline. He went on to shoot weekend rounds of 69-68 to tie for 47th. Gonzalez continued to play sporadic pro golf events while working for a beverage distributorship in Las Vegas. He played in 44 Korn Ferry Tour tournaments between the Tour’s inaugural year of 1990 and 2002. He tied for 14th at the 1990 New Haven Open in Connecticut for his top showing. After turning 50, he only played in one PGA TOUR Champions tournament, the 2011 Senior Open Championship, in Surrey, England, where he missed the cut. Funeral services are pending.

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Here are nine tidbits from the first round of the THE PLAYERS Championship that gamers can use tomorrow, this weekend or down the road. THE PLAYERS Stadium Course TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, has been the host since 1982 and plays 7,189 yards to a Par-72. Know Thy Enemy These were the top-10 picked golfers in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf game presented by SERVPRO. With warm temperatures and light winds, relatively speaking, TPC Sawgrass was there for the taking. The PGA TOUR radio crew suggested that these were some of the easier pin placements they have seen in recent memory. There were six bogey-free rounds, which reinforces that point. It appears the cut is going to take a red number as the forecast looks fantastic again tomorrow. People’s Choice For the second week in a row, gamers have run Rickie Fowler to the top of the list above. For the second week in a row, gamers will have to cross their fingers heading into Friday. His 74 sees him needing 69 or better on Friday to play the weekend. The good news is his Round 2 scoring average is the best of the bunch. The bad news is his last round in the 60’s was his unbelievable 67 on Sunday in 2015 to force a playoff. The better news is he’ll be out first with a clear plan of what it takes. I’m on board. Number 1 Dustin Johnson knows that finishing outside of the top 10 this week could see him lose his perch on the OWGR rankings. He also is keenly aware that he’s never collected top-10 cash in nine previous attempts. His bogey-free 66 is his best ever in 31 loops and his only clean card as well. He’ll share the lead with five others to begin Round 2. He was in my lineup today and he’s not going anywhere. Defense It was incredible to watch 21-year old Si Woo Kim win by three shots last year to become the event’s youngest winner. Even though there has never been a champion repeat in the previous 36 events at TPC Sawgrass, Kim’s opening round of 67 deserves mentioning because it’s the best from a defending champion since the tournament moved to TPC Sawgrass. The only player to hit the top 10 this century defending was Adam Scott with T8 in 2005 and that was in March. Kim was on point today as he had it to seven-under thru 15 before bogeys at Nos. 7 and 8 knocked him out of solo lead. The Auld Guard Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were choices Nos. 11 and 12 on the list above so there’s PLENTY of interest again this week. Woods holed an 11-foot bogey on the last to finish even as he scraped through the afternoon. Mickelson was even through 13 holes before closing double, bogey, double, double and par for 41. I tried to warn gamers that Mickelson annually arrives here on a high from Quail Hollow Club but that it never translates. His last top-10 finish was in 2007 when he won. His last round in the 60’s was in 2011. Connect the dots. Woods knows he doesn’t need 64 or lower to make the weekend so if you have to choose, it’s a simple one. Wrong Patrick? Patrick Reed entered the week with five straight finishes inside the top five plus his first major victory at the Masters. He matched Woods on 72 and will need something decent Friday morning to extend his streak. Patrick Cantlay was four shots off the 54-hole lead last year before learning a valuable lesson. His 77 knocked him out of contention (T22) but he continues to prove he’s a quick learner everywhere. His eight birdies in Round 1 were T1 and his round of 66 matched. #51Watch The ageless Steve Stricker continues to pop up on difficult courses and demands to be counted. He’s made the weekend the last four years at TPC Sawgrass and he made the cut in all four majors last season. The 51-year old is tormenting the Champions Tour and had a share of the lead before a late bogey knocked him to T7. Glass Half-Full or Half-Empty? Jordan Spieth played in the final group in 2014 in his debut, shot 74 and finished T4. He has one round in the red (71) and a trio of MC in the following three seasons. His 75 to open in the morning wave burned plenty of investors. Those who decided to play him have a very difficult decision tomorrow. I’m glad I faded him and will use him next week at Trinity Forest where he’s a member. Study Hall This will be the last PLAYERS to be held in the month of May. Mickelson was the first winner when event moved in 2007. Next year’s edition will move to St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Sorry Moms! … Round 1 played 72.014 (+0.014). … The six players tied for the lead are the most since eight were knotted up back in the old days at Sawgrass Country Club. … Paul Casey (back) WD on Wednesday so 49 of the top 50 in the OWGR are playing this week. Casey’s replacement Keith Mitchell opened his round with four consecutive birdies before signing for 67. … David Lingmerth said on his Twitter feed that his neck was giving him issues today and restricting his swing. … Brice Garnett added up 88 of them last Sunday at Quail Hollow Club. He only needed 69 of them today. Golf, bloody hell!  

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