Senden escapes heated race at Snake Pit

John Senden, who has one win on the PGA Tour at the John Deere Classic, looked like a veteran who has one 10 plus times on the tour coming down the stretch Sunday. Senden had former world number one Luke Donald right on his tale, and also 2013 US Open champ Justin Rose. He managed to escape a very tight leaderboard and emerge victorious.

Senden hit what was by far the shot of the tournament on the tough Par-4 16th. He had just hooked a fairway wood off the tee into the trees on the right, then hit a marvelous hook from the pine straw up about 20 yards from the hole. Then he executed what was by definition a perfect shot. Senden hit a beautiful chip that rolled right up to the hole like a putt and dropped. This birdie moved him to six-under, and then he made a long birdie putt on the 17th to move to seven. Then finished the round with a smooth par on the 18th to shoot a solid final round one-under 70. Senden had to watch as Kevin Na birdied the 17th to pull with in one, but was relieved when he missed a long birdie attempt on the 18th which gave him the victory.

Kevin Na, also a one time champion on the PGA Tour, was the only one who scared Senden on the last couple holes. But Na missed judged a pitching-wedge on the 18th which ultimately gave Senden the win. This was still a very good performance for Na, considering all the slow play drama that once again haunted him. But the demons seem to have started to go away, and maybe we will see some more impressive stuff out of Na.

Veterans, Luke Donald and Justin Rose, could not get the job done this weekend, but still there was some good that came out of this tournament for both of them. Rose who is coming off of an injury is showing the world that the injury won't affect him come major time. Donald once held the highest position in golf, but hasn't one in over a year. This tournament showed that he is still very competitive, and maybe he will break through for that first major this year.

The Valspar Championship had an intense finish, that shocked many of the viewers. We as fans can only hope to see this quality of a tournament every Sunday.