Four-shot Win Backs Narrow Putting Surface Down Course

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Avenel was a huge success as soon as it opened, well at least for Arnold Palmer. The "King" made back-to-back aces on the par-three third hole prior to the start of the 1986 Chrysler Cup. During a practice round on Tuesday, Palmer, the captain of the U.S. team, made a hole-in-one with a five-iron on the then 182-yard hole. The next day was the pro-amateur event and Palmer, again using a five-iron, made a one -- the first time that back-to-back aces were recorded on any professional tour. Just an FYI: Palmer missed the green during the opening round of the event as he tried for three straight.

 

Beginning in 1987, the PGA Tour began its run at Avenel with the Kemper Open, where former U.S. Open champion Tom Kite was a runaway winner by seven over Chris Perry and Howard Twitty. The following year, Kite lost in a playoff to Morris Hatalsky, as Mo-Cat sank a five-foot par putt for the win. The 1980s were completed with a Tom Byrum five-shot win over three players for his first and only PGA Tour title.

 

Two shots behind Bobby Wadkins with one round to play, Mark Brooks carded his fourth straight round in the 60s to clip Wadkins and D.A. Weibring by three shots in 1994. Lee Janzen defeated Corey Pavin with a 12-foot birdie on the first extra hole to capture the 1995 tournament. Janzen, who shot four rounds in the 60s, won the last playoff in the event's storied history.

 

One shot off the pace with one round remaining, Steve Stricker carded his fourth straight round in the 60s to post a three-shot victory over four players in 1996 with his wife Nicki on the bag. Justin Leonard won for the second time in his career when he captured the 1997 Kemper Open. Leonard, who opened with three straight 69s, closed with 67 to defeat Mark Wiebe by one. Nick Faldo, Nick Price and Greg Norman finished three behind.

 

For the second straight year, a first-time winner was crowned, as Tom Scherrer came from two behind on Sunday to post a two-shot win in 2000. Scherrer was the only player to post all four rounds in the 60s. When Frank Lickliter won in 2001, he became the ninth player in the last 19 years to make this tournament his first PGA Tour victory. The 2001 event was completed on Monday for the first time due to inclement weather.

 

Rory Sabbatini returned to the winner's circle for the first time in three years, as he closed with back-to-back 68s for a four-shot win. With his victory, Sabbatini became the fourth player in the last five years to either hold or share the 54-hole lead and go on to victory. The 2003 event changed names to the FBR Capital Open.

 

The PGA Tour stepped in to do some redesign work in 2005 and the tournament was moved to nearby Congressional Country Club.

 

REVIEW: The opening hole at the TPC at Avenel is a sharp, dogleg-right par four of just 393 yards. However, don't be misled, as the tee shot plays uphill to a fairway that is protected on either side by long bunkers. A medium to short iron will remain after a successful tee ball to one of the smallest greens on the course, just 32 paces deep. Any shot offline and to the right will be gobbled up by a difficult bunker. An opening par is not a bad way to start.

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•    @andytoots I jest, of course. Been in France with only a dog for a few days. She's unappreciative of my brilliant gags.

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•    Of course!! @libertyswarrior U da man! Xo!

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•    Akirah earned the achievement Iron Dwarf, Medium Rare (10 player) for 10 points. #wow

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•    #f1 10min delay!@jlegand 'surface akin to a golfer putting on marble' You know??

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•    @showalasomelove yes!! He tht dumb nigga.. It'll be short lived... He runnin to fast with tht iron.

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