Putting is tough enough using a regulation putter, but using a wedge is just ridiculous. That's exactly what American Robert Streb was forced to do after breaking his putter mid-way through his round during the Greenbrier Classic on Monday morning on the US PGA Tour.
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Streb was only one shot off the pace when his putter broke at the base of the shaft after tossing it at his caddy on the ninth hole during his final round. What made it even worse for Streb was that he was still in the hunt for the lead, just a mere stroke behind the leader with nine holes to play.
"I meant to toss (the putter) right next to the bag and it hit the bottom and the head went flying," he said.
A player can replace a club during a round only when it is damaged while playing a shot, so Streb was forced to improvise, opting to use his sand wedge to putt.
What appeared to be a disaster for Streb turned into a miracle as he managed to make five birdies with his wedge on the back nine on his way to a round of five under par 65. The incredible round included a superb 30-foot putt on the 13th and a clutch birdie putt on the last to give Streb a share of the lead and a spot in a four way playoff.
With Streb finishing his round he was able to exchange his wedge for a putter to complete the playoff. In an even stranger twist of fate, Streb didn't even to get to his putter.
Streb missed the green with his tee-shot on the first playoff hole and then used a wedge to chip onto the green. He was eliminated when playoff opponents David Hearn and eventual winner Danny Lee both knocked in birdies before he had a chance to putt.
Despite losing the playoff Streb picked up a cool $US500,000, ($666,000) an amount sure to make all the drama surrounding his putter worth it.
New Zealander Lee eventually won the playoff, securing his first win on the US PGA Tour.
