Purdy victory
Ted Purdy emerges from strong field to win '05 Byron Nelson
Associated Press
May 15, 2005
IRVING, Texas -- Ted Purdy made sure this one didn't get away from him.
Heartbroken by two close calls last year, Purdy had a birdie putt on every hole and closed
with a 5-under 65 to win the Byron Nelson Championship today for his first PGA Tour
victory.
The tournament began with hype over the Big Five playing together for only the third time.
The trophy went to Purdy, ranked No. 173 in the world, who played methodical golf for a
one-shot victory over Sean O'Hair.
"I played flawlessly today,'' Purdy said. "I won on the PGA. That's been my dream my whole
life. I've been all over the world, but this is the pinnacle, especially this tournament.''
He took his seat next to Byron Nelson, the 93-year-old host, and collected $1.16 million.
It was an impressive performance by O'Hair, the 22-year-old rookie whose father treated
him like a commodity and pushed him to turn pro at age 17, a year before he finished high
school.
O'Hair, who started the day with a one-shot lead, was within one shot of the lead until he
hit into a bunker at No. 14 and failed to save par. He birdied two of the last three holes for
a 68 and earned $669,600, assuring the Q-school grad his card for next year and showing
that he has the game to achieve greater things.
"I'm really proud of myself, and I'm really happy for Ted,'' O'Hair said. "I learned a lot as far
as what it takes to win. It's not always about making birdies. Sometimes, it's about making
pars, and I made too many bogeys.''
Purdy finished at 15-under 265, and his 65 matched the lowest final round by a winner
since the tournament moved to the TPC at Las Colinas in 1986. It was last done by John
Cook in 1998.
Ted Purdy emerges from strong field to win '05 Byron Nelson
Associated Press
May 15, 2005
IRVING, Texas -- Ted Purdy made sure this one didn't get away from him.
Heartbroken by two close calls last year, Purdy had a birdie putt on every hole and closed
with a 5-under 65 to win the Byron Nelson Championship today for his first PGA Tour
victory.
The tournament began with hype over the Big Five playing together for only the third time.
The trophy went to Purdy, ranked No. 173 in the world, who played methodical golf for a
one-shot victory over Sean O'Hair.
"I played flawlessly today,'' Purdy said. "I won on the PGA. That's been my dream my whole
life. I've been all over the world, but this is the pinnacle, especially this tournament.''
He took his seat next to Byron Nelson, the 93-year-old host, and collected $1.16 million.
It was an impressive performance by O'Hair, the 22-year-old rookie whose father treated
him like a commodity and pushed him to turn pro at age 17, a year before he finished high
school.
O'Hair, who started the day with a one-shot lead, was within one shot of the lead until he
hit into a bunker at No. 14 and failed to save par. He birdied two of the last three holes for
a 68 and earned $669,600, assuring the Q-school grad his card for next year and showing
that he has the game to achieve greater things.
"I'm really proud of myself, and I'm really happy for Ted,'' O'Hair said. "I learned a lot as far
as what it takes to win. It's not always about making birdies. Sometimes, it's about making
pars, and I made too many bogeys.''
Purdy finished at 15-under 265, and his 65 matched the lowest final round by a winner
since the tournament moved to the TPC at Las Colinas in 1986. It was last done by John
Cook in 1998.
Quotes from the Gallery
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! --- Jack Huiskamp
Now Ted's playing on house money. He can free wheel it now --- Mark Stewart
How cool was it to get the first win at the Byron Nelson and against all of the top
players, too? I always believed that Ted would win and I'm sooooooooo proud of
him not only for winning, but for handling himself with class --- Kathy Hays
players, too? I always believed that Ted would win and I'm sooooooooo proud of
him not only for winning, but for handling himself with class --- Kathy Hays
WOW, THAT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Way to go, T.!!! Even the Golf Channel
interviews were fantastic!!!! What a CHAMPION!!!!!!! Everyone in Tucson and
all over the world just called with congratulatory screams!!! ---- Jamie Purdy
interviews were fantastic!!!! What a CHAMPION!!!!!!! Everyone in Tucson and
all over the world just called with congratulatory screams!!! ---- Jamie Purdy
I can't believe I am friends with the brother of a PGA Tour
event winner. Very cool. He has worked hard a long time to get
where he is today. He deserves it. --- Chris Press
event winner. Very cool. He has worked hard a long time to get
where he is today. He deserves it. --- Chris Press
Last time we communicated we talked about Ted winning the US Open or the
Masters. Well, let him know that I watched him way over here (in Taiwan) kick
ass in the final round of the Byron Nelson. He put on an impressive show.
Should we get tickets for the US Open? --- Jed Van Voorhis
Masters. Well, let him know that I watched him way over here (in Taiwan) kick
ass in the final round of the Byron Nelson. He put on an impressive show.
Should we get tickets for the US Open? --- Jed Van Voorhis
Congratulations on your first PGA victory, Ted. I only underline first because I am
sure that it will not be the only one! Say hi to Pam for me. --- Scott Hilgendorf
sure that it will not be the only one! Say hi to Pam for me. --- Scott Hilgendorf
Bette and I are so proud of you, Ted, and an additional plus in watching your play
was finally getting to see Arlene and Sam. You have definitely maintained the
Purdy Tradition of acquiring a beautiful wife. Again, Bettte, myself and all the
Purdy's congratulate you and thank you for the heights you have taken our name.
--- Clark and Bette Purdy
was finally getting to see Arlene and Sam. You have definitely maintained the
Purdy Tradition of acquiring a beautiful wife. Again, Bettte, myself and all the
Purdy's congratulate you and thank you for the heights you have taken our name.
--- Clark and Bette Purdy
That was so cool yesterday!!! Ted played awesome! He was so calm, cool
and collected!!! --- Lori and Ken Kavanaugh
and collected!!! --- Lori and Ken Kavanaugh
We are so happy for you all! Way to go, Ted! Glad to hear Sam is going to have a
little brother or sister! --- Allie and Katrina Odekirk
little brother or sister! --- Allie and Katrina Odekirk
Congratulations on your Byron Nelson win yesterday. Well, deserved...you
played so well. --- John Garner
played so well. --- John Garner
As we all suspected, it was just a matter of time. Susan and I are very
proud of you. Above all, you are a classy guy and deserve all that you have
accomplished. --- Uncle Dave Purdy
proud of you. Above all, you are a classy guy and deserve all that you have
accomplished. --- Uncle Dave Purdy
I'm so excited, you would have thought I had won it!!!! What a thrill!!!! --- Rosie Muldoon
Gobble, gobble, gobble... I am fired up --- Kirk Cowan
Ohhhh, I'm just so proud of my grandson!!! Wasn't that marvelous? --- Nadine "Mar" Huiskamp
Congrats to Ted....what a performance against a top-notch field. --- Ben Hopper
Congratulations, Ted!!!!! Mom, Dad and I were very, very nervous watching you play. We met you last summer at
the Memorial (my grandpa is Clark Purdy) and we are so glad that you won!!!!!!!! --- Reilly Poulton
the Memorial (my grandpa is Clark Purdy) and we are so glad that you won!!!!!!!! --- Reilly Poulton
Congratulations on your win at the Byron Nelson Championship. I worked as a volunteer at the Wachovia for two
days. During the Pro-Am on Wednesday, you took the time to say "thanks for helping us." You were the only pro to
take the time to speak. Great to see you have the success you deserve. Proves that good guys still stand a
chance. Good Luck and keep hitting them straight. --- Marvin Mackay
days. During the Pro-Am on Wednesday, you took the time to say "thanks for helping us." You were the only pro to
take the time to speak. Great to see you have the success you deserve. Proves that good guys still stand a
chance. Good Luck and keep hitting them straight. --- Marvin Mackay
Send your congratulatory message to purds@earthlink.net
I can't believe I am friends with the brother of a PGA Tour
event winner. Very cool. He has worked hard a long time to get
where he is today. He deserves it. --- Chris Press
event winner. Very cool. He has worked hard a long time to get
where he is today. He deserves it. --- Chris Press
Last time we communicated we talked about Ted winning the US Open or the
Masters. Well, let him know that I watched him way over here (in Taiwan) kick
ass in the final round of the Byron Nelson. He put on an impressive show.
Should we get tickets for the US Open? --- Jed Van Voorhis
Masters. Well, let him know that I watched him way over here (in Taiwan) kick
ass in the final round of the Byron Nelson. He put on an impressive show.
Should we get tickets for the US Open? --- Jed Van Voorhis
I can't believe I am friends with the brother of a PGA Tour
event winner. Very cool. He has worked hard a long time to get
where he is today. He deserves it. --- Chris Press
event winner. Very cool. He has worked hard a long time to get
where he is today. He deserves it. --- Chris Press
Last time we communicated we talked about Ted winning the US Open or the
Masters. Well, let him know that I watched him way over here (in Taiwan) kick
ass in the final round of the Byron Nelson. He put on an impressive show.
Should we get tickets for the US Open? --- Jed Van Voorhis
Masters. Well, let him know that I watched him way over here (in Taiwan) kick
ass in the final round of the Byron Nelson. He put on an impressive show.
Should we get tickets for the US Open? --- Jed Van Voorhis
I can't believe I am friends with the brother of a PGA Tour
event winner. Very cool. He has worked hard a long time to get
where he is today. He deserves it. --- Chris Press
event winner. Very cool. He has worked hard a long time to get
where he is today. He deserves it. --- Chris Press
Last time we communicated we talked about Ted winning the US Open or the
Masters. Well, let him know that I watched him way over here (in Taiwan) kick
ass in the final round of the Byron Nelson. He put on an impressive show.
Should we get tickets for the US Open? --- Jed Van Voorhis
Masters. Well, let him know that I watched him way over here (in Taiwan) kick
ass in the final round of the Byron Nelson. He put on an impressive show.
Should we get tickets for the US Open? --- Jed Van Voorhis
Purds.com
Purds.com
Byron Nelson was
'ultimate role model'
'ultimate role model'
Ted Purdy eagled the 18th hole at Annandale Thursdto shoot a 68, which was Byron
Nelson's scoring average in 1945, long before the advent of space-aged, high-tech
equipment. Purdy was pleased with the eagle, but he later gushed about his friend,
Byron Nelson.
"In my mind, Byron Nelson is the person everyone out here should try to be like,"
Purdy said. "He is, without a doubt, the ultimate role model."
Purdy, 33, has won once on the PGA Tour - the 2005 Byron Nelson Classic, the only
PGA Tour tournament named for a golfer. Purdy shot a final round 65 to come from
two shots behind to win.
The $1.1 million first place check and the trophy were nice. So was the two-year PGA
Tour exemption that came with them. Best of all, Purdy says, he met and became
friends with Nelson.
"I consider myself one lucky man to have known him," says Purdy, who spent two
days with Nelson last December.
"Just to sit down and talk golf with him was unbelievable," Purdy says. "I mean, he
found out I was from Phoenix so he told me about the time he got snowed out in the
Phoenix Open way back when. They had to play 36 holes with snow on the ground
the final day, and Mr. Nelson shot 65-65 to beat (Ben) Hogan."
Nelson's scoring average in 1945, long before the advent of space-aged, high-tech
equipment. Purdy was pleased with the eagle, but he later gushed about his friend,
Byron Nelson.
"In my mind, Byron Nelson is the person everyone out here should try to be like,"
Purdy said. "He is, without a doubt, the ultimate role model."
Purdy, 33, has won once on the PGA Tour - the 2005 Byron Nelson Classic, the only
PGA Tour tournament named for a golfer. Purdy shot a final round 65 to come from
two shots behind to win.
The $1.1 million first place check and the trophy were nice. So was the two-year PGA
Tour exemption that came with them. Best of all, Purdy says, he met and became
friends with Nelson.
"I consider myself one lucky man to have known him," says Purdy, who spent two
days with Nelson last December.
"Just to sit down and talk golf with him was unbelievable," Purdy says. "I mean, he
found out I was from Phoenix so he told me about the time he got snowed out in the
Phoenix Open way back when. They had to play 36 holes with snow on the ground
the final day, and Mr. Nelson shot 65-65 to beat (Ben) Hogan."
We miss you, Lord Byron.
Ted at Winged Foot.
Arlene, Andie, Sammy and Ted.
"You're going
down," Sammy
says at the range.
Papa Purds holds
him, right, when
he wasn't as
tough.
down," Sammy
says at the range.
Papa Purds holds
him, right, when
he wasn't as
tough.
A father-son golf outing.