2004 PPA World Match Play Championship (Richmond, VA

Darrell Anderson Wins
2004 PPA World Match Play Championship

Darrell Anderson's putt on the 18th hole to win the title lips out on the top lip.
(Click on photo for a higher resolution photo)

21 July 2004 - Richmond, VA - Darrell Anderson and John Bambling squared off in the finals of the 2004 PPA World Match Play Championship in a match that saw neither player have more than a one hole advantage. Entering the back nine tied, John Bambling aced holes 10, 11, 12 and 13 to gain a one up advantage. Both players missed the difficult fourteenth hole leaving John Bambling one up with four holes to play. A miss by John Bambling on the fifteenth hole left the door open for Darrell Anderson who aced the hole to tie the match with three holes to play.

Both player aced the sixteenth hole still leaving them tied with two holes to play. An ace by Darrell Anderson as he played the seventeenth hole first put the pressure on John Bambling to keep the match square with an ace.

John Bambling aces the 18th hole to force sudden death in the championship match.
(Click on photo for a higher resolution photo)

Bambling's putt on the seventeenth hole crossed behind the hole leaving Anderson one up going into the final hole. Anderson's putt to win the title was slightly hard and it caught the top lip of the cup (see photo to the right). Anderson made his deuce putt forcing Bambling to ace the 18th hole to take the match into sudden death.

John Bambling addressed the putt to force sudden death and then backed off to compose himself before hitting the decisive putt. Bambling's putt was true as he aced the 18th hole (see second photo to the right) forcing sudden death on the same 18th hole.

Darrell Anderson's putt on the 18th hole in sudden death wins him the 2004 PPA World Match Play Championship.
(Click on photo for a higher resolution photo)

With his ace on the 18th hole, Bambling had the honors and putted first. Bambling's putt in sudden death was not hard enough and left him an easy deuce just below the hole. Anderson once again was faced with a putt of the 18th hole to win the 2004 PPA World Match Play Championship title. This time his putt was perfect as he said after the putt that he knew he had made the putt as soon as he hit the ball.

The win by Darrell Anderson was his first major PPA National Title and was his first PPA tournament victory of the 2004 season.

Kevin Lacey and Darrell Anderson Earn Spots in PPA World Match Play Semifinals

Kevin Lacey

Darrell Anderson

20 July 2004 - Richmond, VA - The final two spots in the 2004 PPA World Match Play Championship were filled by Darrell Anderson and Kevin Lacey in the Roger Moore Bracket of 64 players. Kevin Lacey earned his spot in the semifinals by defeating Robin Ventura 3 and 2 in his last match. Lacey also defeated Darrell Britt, Rick Culverhouse, Jay Hadsell and Jay Klapper on his way. Kevin Lacey will be making his sixth PPA television appearance and first appearance since the 2000 PPA Match Play Championship which he won.

Darrell Anderson defeated Gilbert Sharpe 6 and 4 in his last match to earn his first PPA television berth. Anderson also defeated Charlie Greenwalt, Dave Taylor, Rusty Taylor and Rick Baird on his way to earning his first PPA television berth.

John Bambling and Rod Miller Earn Spots in PPA World Match Play Semifinals

John Bambling

Rod Miller

19 July 2004 - Richmond, VA - John Bambling and Rod Miller each earned spots in the 2004 PPA World Match Play Championship semifinal matches to be filmed for TV on Wednesday, July 21st. Bambling defeated Brad Lebo in his last match of the day after being down 3 holes with the front nine of course 1 to play. Lebo missed holes 4, 5 and 6 opening the door for Bambling to win the match. Bambling defeated James Heikkinen, 2003 PPA World Match Play Champion, in his opening match before defeating Dave Taylor, Roger Beckerman, Russell Sigmon, Jr. and Brad Lebo.

Miller continued his solid play defeating Gary Watson in his last match of the day 2 and 1. Rod Miller defeated Randal Smith, Bill Kirby, Tim Greenert, Greg Newport and Gary Watson.

Professional Division (Final Eight) of the
$20,000 PPA World Match Play Championship
(Richmond, VA - 19-21 July 2004)