No fluke: Zuback, Wilson win Challenge again

Font Size:
Default font size
Larger font size

buy this photo Bobby Wilson lets go of his club in jest after firing his first drive on the day on hole No.1 during the second day of the 12th annual Sorenson Champions Challenge Golf Tournament at Thanksgiving Point on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009. Wilson and Zuback led the tournament at 12 under par after 18-holes. PATRICK SMITH/Daily Herald

Loading…
  • No fluke: Zuback, Wilson win Challenge again
  • No fluke: Zuback, Wilson win Challenge again
  • No fluke: Zuback, Wilson win Challenge again
  • No fluke: Zuback, Wilson win Challenge again

Related Stories

Related Links

They were here for one reason.

Hit the ball a mile and give some tips during the clinic.

Long drive champions Bobby Wilson and Jason Zuback haven't won the Masters like Mike Weir. They aren't legends of the game like Johnny Miller or Billy Casper.

So what were they doing laughing, celebrating, giving out interviews and holding up a trophy?

Celebrating the Sorenson Champions Challenge title.

Turns out there's more to their game than wowing the crowd with monster drives.

They can chip. They can put. They have a short game.

To the surprise of many, Zuback and Wilson won the Champions Challenge in 2005, but while that win was largely written off as a fluke, a second win in the tournament proved these guys can play. On a cool and windy day, the duo turned in a score of 12-under to win the Champions Challenge for the second time and take home a $50,000 prize purse.

"This is awesome. Just to be involved in the tournament and with Johnny. When we were first invited, Bobby and I felt were very honored," Zuback said. "It kind of sent ripples throughout the whole sport (after the first tournament win) the fact that we can play and contend with guys on the PGA tour, Hall of Fame members and some of the legends of the game."

Zuback and Wilson held off a trio of teams who finished one stroke back. Ian Baker-Finch and Brett Quigley, Rocco Mediate and Bradley Shaw, and Scott and Andy Miller all finished a stroke behind.

"It's one thing to win on a nice day and good weather, and chip in. Last time they won they chipped in three times. It was a little bit of a fluke we thought. I was very happy for them. But to win today with the heavy wind and tough greens, these guys can play," said tournament host Johnny Miller. "They're not just long ball hitters. Bobby Wilson is a player. If he would have had a little grooming when he was younger, he might have been one of the great players of all time."

One of the keys to their win came on No. 16 when Baker-Finch and Quigley had a five-foot birdie putt, but both missed. They settled for par. They also had a 10-footer on No. 17 that they couldn't knock home.

Meanwhile, Zuback and Wilson birdied No. 17 that proved to be the difference.

For those who came to watch Zuback and Wilson crush the ball off the tee, they weren't disappointed. Wilson hit a drive 540 yards. Okay, so there was a wind at his back and it was on a downhill slope, but still.

Zuback hit a drive nearly 400 yards on No. 1 and both drove the green on No. 3, some 436 yards.

There were a lot of big shots that proved to be the difference. On No. 7 Wilson chipped in from 80 yards out for an eagle.

"We had a great lie. I hit it past the hole and we're like okay, we're on, we have chance to birdie," Wilson said. "The ball started moving back down and I thought we were going to like it, that it was going to be close and then it went in."

Mediate and Shaw made things interesting. They were final group of the day and made a late run at Zuback and Wilson. They had a chance to force a playoff, but they birdied three of the last four holes to finish in a second-place tie, but missed too many putts to pull out the win.

"We let five or six (putts) get away. A lot of putts, but you know what, everybody can say that," Mediate said.

"I think the fact that those guys won is cool. Obviously they know what they're doing, just because they're long ball guys doesn't mean they can't play. Next year they're mine."

Mediate then turned to Shaw, his playing partner, laughed and said, "They're ours."

It was Mediate's first appearance at the Champions Challenge, but probably not his last. He was already talking about playing in next year's tournament.

"Utah is cool. I've never been here. I like it a lot. I had a good time with Johnny and his boy," he said. "He's (Miller) amazing. The first shot of the day, he hit it off the flag stick."

The team of Dean Wilson and Mike Weir finished in fifth at 10-under. While Billy and Bobby Casper finished tied for sixth, Billy Casper, 78, proved he can still play.

Players like Casper are what makes this tournament such an attraction for golf fans. Casper had a hole-in-one, and then sank and eagle on back-to-back holes.

Championship Challenge Results

1. Jason Zuback and Bobby Wilson -12

2. Scott Miller and Andy Miller -11

2. Rocco Mediate and Bradley Shaw -11

2. Ian Baker-Finch and Brett Quigley -11

5. Mike Weir and Dean Wilson -10

6. Billy Casper and Bobby Casper -8

6. Johnny Miller and Andy Miller -8

8. Hale Irwin and Steve Irwin -7

8. Anna Rawson and Dave Stockton Jr. -7

10. Craig Stadler and Chris Stadler -6

Print Email

/sports/golf