Chopra achieves lifelong long dream in Hawaii

Daniel Chopra wins the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Hawaii after beating fellow FootJoy ambassador Steve Stricker in a tense playoff at the Plantation Course, Kapalua. The pair were tied on 18-under-par 274 after the final round, Chopra carded a seven-under 66 while Stricker shot an impressive nine-under 64. Luck would prove to be on Chopra's side going into the play-off, in the shape of his ball marker, which reads “Fortune Favours the brave”. On the first extra hole on the par-5 18th, Stricker putted from 120 feet for eagle when his ball hit Chopra’s ball marker, resulting in the putt finishing 10 feet short. Stricker missed the resulting birdie putt. The win finally came at the fourth playoff hole, the par 5 ninth, where Chopra made birdie leaving Stricker needing to hole from 15 feet to tie. The putt slid past the hole giving Chopra his second career PGA win.

The Swede earned $1.1 million and a Mercedes-Benz sports car. More importantly to Chopra the win earned him his first trip to the Masters. “I get to go to Augusta, my lifelong dream,” Chopra said. The tournament also saw strong finishes for FootJoy Players Hunter Mahan and Nick Watney who both finished T5. Mahan finished with the joint lowest final round carding a nine-under 64. 

Chopra strode to victory wearing a combination of the new black FootJoy DryJoys PODS (#53523) and the all white Golf Athletics (#56808) , while a FootJoy StaSof golf glove helped him take a firm grip on the winner’s trophy.