By John Nestor

Chez Reavie didn't win the Deutsche Bank Championship but it looks like he'll end up a winner in the long run.

Reavie lost in a playoff to Webb Simpson at TPC Boston in the second event of the FedEx Cup playoffs, but he did guarantee himself a spot in the remaining two playoff events and will be back full time in 2012.

Starting the season on a medical exemption from knee surgery last year, Reavie won't get his full PGA Tour status back until January. But that matters little now as he will be playing the BMW Championship and Tour Championship thanks to his performance this week.

"It's unbelievable, starting the season on a medical and not knowing what's going to happen to then be able to go to the Tour Championship," Reavie said. "It was a goal, it's what I wanted to do."

That goal became a reality thanks to his performance this week, especially Monday when he got hot with the putter.

He carded six birdies including four on the back nine. He rolled in huge putts on 13, a 24 footer, and another bomb on 16 when he converted from nearly 33 feet.

But he was undone by one misplayed wedge, a bad shot from 117 on the final hole of regulation. He pulled it left and into the rough near the grandstand. He couldn't get up-and-down and the bogey left him in a playoff with Webb Simpson as Simpson had birdied 18.

Both players birdied 18 to start the playoff but Reavie couldn't drain his 23-footer on 17 and Simpson clinched the deal with a nine-footer.

A tough way to lose to be sure, but the pain will be alleviated by not only the spot in Atlanta, but by a berth in three majors next season, including the Masters.

"It was a good day," Reavie said. "I played great all day. Unfortunately my wedge didn't quite work out, but all in all on the day I played fantastic."

And for that he gets to keep on playing.

 

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Chez Reavie Comeback Continues Despite Tough Finish at Deutsche Bank