Verizon Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links
April 19, 2009 – Steve Lowery and Chris DiMarco entered the Verizon Heritage in a crowded tie for the Kodak Challenge lead. Despite the 18th hole at Harbour Town Links proving to be one of the most difficult this week, both players birdied the 11th Kodak Challenge hole and now share the top spot at 6-under-par. Lowery conquered the 18th on the Friday while DiMarco ended his tournament with a birdie on his final hole Sunday. Two-time defending champion Boo Weekley was unable to make history by winning for the third consecutive year, but he did birdie the Kodak Challenge hole and is now tied for second at 5-under-par. This year’s winner Brian Gay set a new 72-hole record for the Verizon Heritage at 20-under 264, one shot clear of Loren Roberts’ mark from 1996, but did not manage to birdie the 18th and is currently tied for 4th place at 3-under-par. The Kodak Challenge will continue next week on Hole 17 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Current Kodak Challenge Leaderboard (Year-to-date)
Name Score Holes
Steve Lowery -6 8
Chris DiMarco -6 7
Nicholas Thompson, D.J. Trahan, J.B. Holmes, Justin Leonard, Michael Letzig, Will MacKenize, Kevin Streelman, Ryuji Imada, Kevin Sutherland, Ernie Els, Chad Campbell, and Bo Van Pelt are all just one stroke off the leaderboard at 5-under-par.
About the Kodak Challenge Hole: #18
The famous red-and-white lighthouse has made Harbour Town Golf Links one of the most popular courses in the country. In 2008, the hole was ranked the 2nd easiest fairway to hit on the PGA TOUR, which is directly attributed to the fairway’s width. A successful shot is one aimed toward the cherished landmark and the goal is the wide landing area jutting into Calibogue Sound. The long approach to the flag offers ample bailout to the right where the innocent-looking, but insidious mounding has caused many want-to-be champs to lose a sought-after par. Davis Love III and Scott Verplank have the longest streaks on the PGA TOUR for players who haven’t missed the 18th fairway from the tee.
About the Kodak Challenge
The Kodak Challenge is a first-of-its-kind competition for PGA TOUR players and fans and celebrates beautiful holes and memorable moments on the PGA TOUR. All players can compete, and all they have to do is play. Players must play at least 18 of the 30 Kodak Challenge holes to be eligible to win. A player’s lowest score relative to par on his best 18 Kodak Challenge holes will be counted. The player with the lowest cumulative score relative to par wins $1 million and the Kodak Challenge trophy. For more, go to www.kodakchallenge.com.
Contact:
Jonathan Connor,
