Kenny Larry's run at two Regions Cup records ended in a watery grave on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff in Sunday's season finale at Jones Creek Golf Club.
It cost Larry a chance to win his sixth event of the season and fourth in a row, both of which would have been records.
Instead, senior rookie Paul Moore played the role of spoiler in the Jones Creek Classic.
Moore, 50, turned back the 53-year-old Larry and 60-year-old Mike Jackson in the playoff, which started on the first hole.
After they parred the first three holes, Larry hit his tee shot into the water on the dogleg left par-4 fourth hole. It led to a bogey, but it might not have mattered because Moore rolled in a 14-footer for birdie and his second victory of the season.
"I love winning, but I wish it had been against somebody else," Moore said, referring to Larry. "He really pushed me this season."
"I gave it all I had; I couldn't have come any closer," Larry said. "It just wasn't good enough."
Larry already had clinched his third consecutive senior player of the year title last week, and he decided to play at Jones Creek because he wanted to win his fourth tournament in a row and break the record he shared with Jackson.
"I don't want to be tied with Jackson in nothing," Larry said of Jackson, who won three in a row to close out the 2004 season.
The playoff trio finished regulation at 1-over 145. Larry and Jackson, who were paired together in the final round, shot 73-72. Moore, in the group ahead of them, had 74-71.
"When I didn't make the birdie putts on No. 16 and 18 that I thought were in the hole, I just said, 'this just might not be the time,' " Larry said.
Larry hit first on the fourth playoff hole. He had a Rescue Club in his hand before going back to his cart and changing to a 3-wood, which would give him more distance as he tried to hook the shot around the corner.
The ball hooked too much. It hit the bank and rolled into the edge of the water, which led to a penalty drop and the bogey.
"I was getting a little greedy and the greed cost me," Larry said.
After Jackson barely missed his birdie putt on the fourth playoff hole, Moore rolled in his 14-footer for the win.
"It felt kind of good," Moore said as he walked off the green.
"I was hoping he wouldn't make it, but you just can't hang around that long -- something is going to happen," Jackson said.
Had Larry won, he would have tied the Regions Cup record for career wins that is shared by Jackson and Ed Payne at 13.
"Kenny had an incredible year," Moore said. "In my mind, the man is going to set a (career victory) record that's never going to be beat."
It was one of Jackson's best tournaments in years. He's rarely been in contention since his prime in 2003-2004, when he won nine of his titles. He did win in a playoff at Persimmon Hill this year after a final-round 76.
"My putting is much better," Jackson said. "I played pretty solid golf. I'm playing better. I'm looking forward to next year. I know I can win again. Today I felt confident and relaxed; I knew I had a chance to win."
While Jackson, Larry and Moore will be back next year to mix it up, the regular division winner won't.
Jordan Johnstun, who plans to turn pro in February, closed out his Regions Cup career with a four-shot victory. He shot 71-68 to beat Presbyterian golfer Lance Johnson (74-69).
Johnstun will finish up his degree at Georgia Southern this fall, then turn pro.
"I won't try Q-School until fall of 2010, so I'll play the eGolf Tour and the Hooters and maybe try some Monday Nationwide qualifiers," he said.
Johnstun started the final round tied with Doug Weiss and Garland Smith after opening 71s, but he quickly took control with birdies on Nos. 1 and 5.
"From what I saw, he mishit one shot all day; everything else was solid," Weiss said.
Weiss had 75 to tie for fourth and win his second consecutive regular division player of the year title.
"It wasn't as easy this year," Weiss said. "I wasn't able to practice as much because of work. I bet I hit range ball during the week twice all season."
Reach David Westin at (706) 724-0851 or david.westin@augustachronicle.com.
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