SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Troy Matteson birdied the second hole of sudden death Sunday to defeat Rickie Fowler and Jamie Lovemark at the Frys.com Open.
Both Matteson and Fowler bogeyed the final hole of regulation to leave the three players tied at 18-under 262.
Fowler and Lovemark, who have played in a combined six professional events, were trying to gain exemption onto the PGA Tour with a victory at the Grayhawk Golf Club. Instead, they will likely have to earn their way onto the circuit at the tour's qualifying tournament.
All three made par on the first playoff hole, the 18th. Lovemark did so after his second shot skipped off the surface of a pond into the rough. He then pitched to within four feet and made the putt.
At the second hole, the 17th, Matteson hit his approach shot to within two feet. After neither Lovemark nor Fowler could make a birdie, Matteson rolled in the putt for the first victory of his career.
Fowler has earned $553,700 in the last two weeks in his only professional starts and probably needs about $100,000 more to become one of the top 125 who are exempt for 2010. He can either try to make that much money in the final two tour stops of the season or go on to the qualifying tournament.
Matteson shot a closing 68 after turning in the lowest back-to-back rounds in PGA Tour history the previous two days -- 61-61.
Bill Lunde and Tim Clark shared fourth place at 264. Mike Weir and Bryce Molder were at 265.
Lunde clinched his spot on the tour next year after beginning the week in 124th place on the money list. Chris Stroud, who was 125th to start the week, did the same thing by finishing in a tie for eighth.
