European Tour Affiliate Member John E Morgan of England, narrowly missed out on a maiden US PGA Tour triumph when he was defeated in a play-off by Australian Mark Hensby in the John Deere Classic at the TPC at Deere Run in Illinois.
During his rookie season Morgan graduated from the Challenge Tour in 2002 before also earning a place on the US PGA Tour through the US Qualifying School that same year. But after losing his card at the end of 2003 his opportunities this year have been limited to a handful of starts.
In Illinois he made the most of one of those opportunities by producing an outstanding performance, pushing Hensby all the way before the Australian won at the second extra hole, the par three 16th, after Morgan pulled his tee shot into the hazard left of the green and went from there into sand on the other side.
The 26 year old almost holed his bunker shot, but Hensby then made his par to take the $684,000 dollars first prize. Morgan's consolation was a cheque for $410,400 dollars.
The pair had earlier tied on 16 under par 268 with Morgan holing a 25 foot birdie putt on the last for a 65 and Hensby then getting up and down from a bunker for a 66 to take the contest into extra holes.
