FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

March 16, 2008

DENIS WATSON WINS THREE-WAY PLAYOFF

AT AT&T CHAMPIONS CLASSIC

Birdie on Third Playoff Hole Wins It for Watson

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – Denis Watson won the 2008 AT&T Champions Classic over Loren Roberts and Brad Bryant in a three-way playoff at Valencia Country Club on Sunday.

Playing the par 5 18th to start the playoff, all three players made par to force the second extra hole.  Returning to the 18th hole, Watson missed an eagle putt and matched Roberts for birdie.  Bryant was eliminated with a par.

On the third playoff hole, this time on the par 4 10th hole, Watson hit a perfect 9-iron to 20 inches to tap in for birdie, while Roberts, who hit his second shot into the rough short of the green and hit his third shot over the flag, finished with a double-bogey.

“I told my wife last night if I shoot 8 under I can win the tournament,” said Watson, last year’s Champions Tour Player of the Year, who waited over an hour to see if he would be a winner or in a playoff.  “I was more nervous sitting and watching than when I was playing.  I’ve never been like that before.”

Bryant opened the day with a two-shot lead after 36 holes.  His even par 72 on Sunday left him at 7-under-par, while Roberts chipped in on the 18th from 43 yards for eagle to get to 7-under-par.  Roberts had 17 pars before that eagle chip in.  Watson shot a final round 7-under-par 65 on Sunday to move from 20th place to the top of the leaderboard.

This is the second straight year the AT&T Champions Classic finished in a playoff, with Tom Purtzer winning in 2007 over Roberts after four playoff holes.

Watson also won the Princess Cruises Closest to the Pin contest on Hole 16, hitting his tee shot to 9 feet 11 inches.  He won a cruise from Princess Cruises to the Caribbean or Mexico.

The AT&T Champions Classic Tournament Headquarters is located at 27441 Tourney Road, Suite 280, Santa Clarita, CA 91335.  661-260-1897 (phone), 661-260-2379 (fax).