Best of the Players Championship: The 25 Most Dominant Performances

Heavy rain on Saturday forced a delay in the 1990 tournament and created particular problems for 40-something veterans Hale Irwin, Tom Kite and Tom Watson. All were in touch with the lead, but all faced the additional challenge of holding up through 33, 30 and 31 holes of play Sunday.

With 32 holes remaining, the leader faced many of those same problems. But at age 29 he had youth on his side. One other factor also suggested he might benefit from damp closing conditions: His name was Mudd.

Leading Irwin by one and with both  Kite and Watson among eight players within four strokes when the third round was halted, Jodie Mudd pushed through. Completing his third round in 70 and a stroke ahead of Mark Calcavecchia when the final round began, Mudd told his caddie and brother, “today we take it up one more level.” Then he matched Calcavecchia’s final 69 to win by one stroke. Irwin fell seven strokes back, tied with Kite while Watson 14 strokes off the pace.

Mudd’s 9-foot birdie putt at the island green 17th provided a two-shot margin that came in handy when he bogeyed the final hole.  Calcavecchia, who also shot 69, was impressed.

“Jodie had control of his swing…he played better than I did,” Calcavecchia said.