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There is officially something in the drinking water in Hartford, Conn., ladies and gentlemen.
Prior to this week at the 2013 Travelers Championship, nine players had earned their first PGA Tour victory already this season. With Ken Duke’s improbable playoff triumph on Sunday, that number has risen to ten.
The Hartford-based Tour stop has now produced a first-time winner in six out of the last eight years. Duke joins J.J. Henry (2006), Hunter Mahan (2007), Bubba Watson (2010), Frederick Jacobson (2011) and Marc Leishman (2012).
“Yeah, it’s been a long time,” Duke told the Associated Press following his win.” I’ve been on the Canadian tour, the mini tours, Asian Tour, South American Tour, all of them; Web.com, and it’s just great to be a part of this big family on the PGA Tour.”
It may have taken him 187 professional starts and a heated final round playoff, but Duke’s ability to hold off Chris Stroud – who was also vying for his first victory — in extra holes was as impressive as any victory on tour this season. Duke, 44, sank a three-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to defeat Stroud.
To say that Duke is a golf journeyman would be an understatement.
“Yeah, it’s been a long time,” said Duke following his win.” I’ve been on the Canadian tour, the mini tours, Asian Tour, South American Tour, all of them; Web.com, and it’s just great to be a part of this big family on the PGA Tour.”
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