Fowler in top spot of Kodak Challenge and $1 million payout

Rookies Rickie Fowler and Troy Merritt leave the Frys.com Open tied for first place at 15-under par in the chase for the Kodak Challenge $1 million prize. Fowler and Merritt traded birdies on the par-4 17th hole Friday to remain tied for first place standings. The two are poised for a first-place showdown at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open next week, which offers Kodak Challengers the last par 5 of the season. There are just two holes left in the 2010 Kodak Challenge season.

For the second straight day, the pros played from the front tees on No. 17, making the hole the most exciting spot on the golf course. Especially for Aaron Baddeley, who carded a birdie Sunday to move into second place in Kodak Challenge at 14-under-par. Baddeley was able to replace a par on his scoring card with his birdie, resulting in a one shot swing thanks to the competition's unique scoring rule, which allows players to record their best 18 scores.

The "Kodak Challenge Moment of the Day" belonged to Rocco Mediate, who holed his spectacular 116-yard second shot on No. 17 for eagle. The eagle moved Mediate from a tie with Rickie Fowler to take a two-shot lead in the Frys.com Open.

Kodak Challenge hole No. 17 at CordeValle Golf Club was the easiest hole at the Frys.com Open during Sundays final round. The hole yielded 4 eagles, 27 birdies, 31 pars, 8 bogeys and 2 double bogeys.

The Frys.com Open was the 28th of 30 tournaments to participate in the 2010 Kodak Challenge competition. The next Kodak Challenge hole is the par-5 16th at TPC Summerlin at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open on Oct. 21-25. The Kodak Challenge concludes on No. 17 at the Childrens Miracle Network Classic on Nov. 11-14.