Sun Jan 6 23:34:04 2008

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Chopra edges Stricker in four-hole playoff

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Kapalua, HI (Sports Network) - Daniel Chopra beat Steve Stricker with a birdie at the fourth playoff hole Sunday to win the Mercedes-Benz Championship, bringing a thrilling end to the PGA Tour's 2008 season-opener.

Chopra saw a three-shot lead slip away over the last five holes of regulation as Stricker made a run down the stretch, finally catching the Swede with a birdie at the 18th.

They finished regulation tied at 18-under 274 and followed each other around during the first three playoff holes, hitting similar shots for the same results: three straight pars.

Stricker hit an errant drive into the rough at the fourth extra hole, the par- four ninth, a costly shot that was followed by Chopra's hybrid onto the green.

After Stricker chipped 15 feet past the hole, Chopra was left tortured by a 23-foot eagle putt that hung impossibly on the edge of the cup. But it didn't matter.

Chopra tapped -- tapped -- in for his birdie, while Stricker missed his mid- range try. The end came more than an hour after Chopra missed by inches on a birdie putt at the 18th hole that would have given him the win in regulation.

He also left a birdie putt on the edge of the cup at the second playoff hole, then missed a 19-footer with the sun in his eyes on the third extra hole.

All the drama ended in Chopra's second career PGA Tour win -- his second victory in three starts, actually, after going more than 130 starts and nearly four seasons without one.

"All those putts in the playoff and regulation I hit exactly the way I wanted. It just felt like there was a goalie in the hole. I though maybe it wasn't to be," said Chopra, who closed with a seven-under 66 in the final round.

Stricker fired a nine-under 64 on Sunday, tied with Hunter Mahan for the low round of the tournament, and played his last 14 holes in regulation at nine- under par.

The two-time reigning Comeback Player of the Year, Stricker earned his spot in this field by winning last year's Barclays, the first event of the new playoffs.

His tournament this week began with a 38 on the front nine on Thursday.

"I didn't get off to a good start this week and was kind of behind the eight ball. But from then on I played really solid," said Stricker. "I just came up a little short."

Stephen Ames shot a seven-under 66 and finished alone in third place at 17- under 275, one shot out of the playoff. Mike Weir, the leader after the second and third rounds, closed with a 70 Sunday and was another stroke further back at 276.

MORE TO FOLLOW.