Jeff and Samantha Kellstrom scramble for a Memorial victory
The father / daughter team of Jeff and Samantha Kellstrom completed the Memorial Tournament’s 4th ever bogey-free round shooting a 5-under 67 to match the 2008 champs Rick Persichetti and Kelly Arnold. The ensuing 4-hole playoff settled nothing as the 2 teams traded par-2’s, each side making delicate par saves along the way. It took a 5th sudden death hole to decide the tournament – with Jeff Kellstrom draining a curling 40 footer that Persichetti and Arnold could not answer.
Samantha Kellstrom moves to the top of the 2012 money standings ($76.00) and Jeff is 2nd ($68.67) after both earned their 2nd wins this year. The Memorial victory is the first major title for both players. Jeff now has 9 wins in 66 career starts while Samantha has won for the 3rd time in just 13 starts since joining the Tour last year.
Persichetti and Arnold, bogey-free in 2008 en route to the Green Towels, played their first 17 holes bogey-free, but their final hole – the par-3 14th – was costly. A double-bogey created the tie and ultimately kept Persichetti from a record 3rd Green Towel.
Charlie Roy and Phil Abele started on hole #18 and recorded 5 birdies and an eagle (hole #4) in their first 8 holes to establish a commanding lead. But 3 bogies in their final 6 holes dropped them out of the playoff picture with a 4-under 68. Greg Kline and Jason Rectenwald started slow but made 4 birdies in a 6-hole stretch to get into contention. Playing the four par-5’s in 1-over par ultimately cost them a chance at the title. Kline has 6 top-4’s at the Memorial including 1 win in 2006.
Tournament hosts Erik and Susan Meland had their best showing in years. They tied for 3rd after posting 6 birdies and 2 bogies. They would have joined the playoff if not for an eagle putt that lipped out on their final hole – the par-5 18th. Barb & Tom Hoelzle also tied for 3rd at 4-under 68 with a wild round that included an eagle at the par-5 6th right after a double-bogey on the par-3 5th.
2012 Memorial Tournament champs
