A Roller Coaster of a Finish

The Valero Texas Open golf tournament didn’t have the star power like some PGA Tour events. Tiger and Phil weren't there. Ernie and Vijay were nowhere to be seen. But with a lot players trying to move up the money list and secure their tour cards, it definitely had all the excitement.

On the final day, just about everyone on the course had a shot at winning the tournament. Some faltered early, while others made their runs late only to fall short in the end.

With the leader board changing names fast enough to make you dizzy, I managed to walk at least twenty holes while only seeing about seven.

After following leaders Rory Sabbatini and Zach Johnson for a couple of holes, I dropped off to catch the first contender of the day. I picked him up on 16 and followed him as he finished his round. By the time he had finished, another contender had emerged. It was back to 16 to pick up the new leader.

This cycle must have gone on for at least half a dozen golfers.

Whispers soon began to make their way around the course. It was that one word that any golf photographer dreads: Playoff. It's the equivalent of a four letter word with photographers. And like Forrest Gump said: “Momma always says, Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.”

Ladies and Gentlemen, so is a playoff in golf.

In some tournaments, it’s a sudden death playoff. Worst case scenario is an 18 hole playoff starting Monday morning, which is fine and dandy unless your deadline is Monday morning and your flight is scheduled to leave at 7am.

Luckily, in the end, Zach Johnson managed to prevail and got to hoist the trophy over his head and try on a new pair of cowboy boots.

And I got to make my flight home on time.