photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Ray Romano playing the main event of the 2007 WSOP
Las Vegas (May 15, 2007) - In an event that combines the wagering format of
Texas Hold 'Em with the skill of golf, Andrew "AJ" Johnson, a 36-year-old
car salesman from Davison, MI, outlasted a field of 80 amateur golfers -
including several of the world's greatest poker players - to win the second
annual World Series of Golf and its $250,000 top prize.
Johnson successfully knocked out poker pros Allen Cunningham, Erick Lindgren
and Dee Tiller, sealing his victory by nailing a tee shot just a few yards
short of the pin on the first playoff hole, a 163-yard par three at Paiute
Golf Resort in Las Vegas. Lindgren, a member of Team Full Tilt, finished
second, winning $60,000.
With a $10,000 buy-in, the event attracted amateur golfers from all across
the United States and Canada. Participants represented all walks of life
ranging from private equity investors and Las Vegas high-rollers to
electricians and construction contractors.
High-profile participants for the event included:
* Ray Romano, actor ("Everyone Loves Raymond"), comedian
* John Daly, TV personality ("Real TV")
* Phil Gordon, world-class poker pro, author and television host
* Phil Ivey, five-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner
* Tom Schneider, 2007 World Series of Poker Player of the Year
* Daniel Negreanu, two World Poker Tour titles
* Rhett Butler, 2006 World Series of Poker main event 5th-place finisher
* Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, 2000 World Series of Poker Champion
* Erick Lindgren, 2004 World Series of Poker Player of the Year
* Dusty Allen, former major league baseball player
* Emily Jilette, wife of magician Penn Jilette (of Penn & Teller)
The closing ceremony will be held at the Mirage Hotel & Casino, the host
hotel of the event, and will feature an exclusive performance by Zowie
Bowie.
| Permalink
| Comments (0)