Thongchai Jadee had to play four playoff holes, but on a sunny day at Pebble Beach Golf Links he managed to beat Justin Leonard and win the Pure Insurance Championship 2023.
Jaidee could have won in regulation, but he couldn’t sink his birdie on the par-5 final hole. They both parred the 17th hole, then birdied 18th in extra time. Jaidee and Leonard returned to the 18th hole for a fourth time on Sunday, but this time par was good enough for Jaidee because Leonard’s tee-shot left went over the retaining wall. The four-man team of golfers, caddies and search dogs could not find it. Leonard then reteed, hit his second shot into a bunker on the greenside, before walking away with a 7.
Jaidee was the first Thai golfer ever to win the Champions Tour. Now, the 2015 Presidents Cup has won his second circuit win. Although he has 19 international victories on his record, he’s never won on the PGA Tour.
Leonard returned to the PGA Tour Champions last year after turning 50. He played four times. Leonard came up just short on Sunday in his 14th tournament of the season, and his suitcases were likely packed for his upcoming return to broadcasting for NBC Sports later this week at the Ryder Cup. Leonard, who was the American Ryder Cup winner in 1999, will work in Rome as an analyst with Terry Gannon.
