Page 8 - The Invitational 2021 revised

the last player to finish. Upon teeing his ball on hole 18, some folks in

the gallery were saying Rutledge needed the putt to tie, others were

saying he
needed

the putt

to win.
Even

Rutledge
was a bit

unsure.

He
missed

th
the 18
Kevin Rutledge on the 144 hole
th
hole by
inches,

and upon stepping off the hole players were asking him if he was at 208

or at 209. Rutledge was shaking his head yes and players responded
with “It is a win!” and “It is a tie!” Upon checking his scorecard, it was

a tie. The 18-hole playoff immediately started. Newport seemed to

have the advantage due to experiencing many high caliber moments;
however, at the

beginning of the
playoff he just did not

seem to feel the

harmony of his game
and mind. It took

about 7 holes for the
focus and stroke to

fuse and allow him to

settle in the match.