Connecticut native Ben James fell short of his first professional victory on Sunday, losing a sudden-death playoff to Blades Brown at the Wild Wide Technology Championship in Mexico. The 23-year-old from Milford forced the extra hole by sinking a 20-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th during regulation, but ultimately missed a critical 6-foot birdie attempt that would have secured the title. Brown capitalized on the opportunity, birdying the final hole to claim the win while James remains winless since turning pro in June.
Connecticut native misses birdie on 18th as Blades Brown seals victory in Mexico
The drama unfolded over multiple attempts on the 18th hole, where both players initially missed eagle putts and made gimme birdies to return to the tee. On the second sudden-death attempt, both golfers came up short with their second shots, setting the stage for James’s decisive chip. James struck the ball six feet from the cup, a distance he failed to convert, allowing Brown to finish the day with a birdie. The loss marks a painful end to a high-pressure final round where James surrendered a four-shot lead before the turn but fought back to share the lead on the back nine.
Despite the defeat, James displayed resilience after a difficult start, acknowledging the emotional toll of the day in his post-round remarks. “Definitely a lot of emotions,” James told reporters. “I mean, it was a long day. I fought really, really hard. Really poor start, poor front nine. Drove the green on 10, three-putted. I couldn’t really get anything going.” The result leaves James still searching for his first PGA Tour win, but his ability to claw back from a four-shot deficit and force a playoff signals significant progress in his early career.
Source: Yahoo Sports
