Flanagan play-off first
AUSTRALIA’S Nick Flanagan won a four-man play-off for his maiden victory on the secondary Nationwide Tour in Richmond, Virginia today (AEST).
Flanagan 22, won the Henrico County Open, with a birdie tap-in on 18, after the play-off stretched to a third hole.
The win confirms the promise he showed when he became the first Aussie to win the US amateur title as a 19-year-old in 2003.
Tiger Woods, who was 18, is the only younger winner of the title.
Newcastle-born Flanagan shot a two-under-par, final-round 70 to finish the tournament tied with American Roland Thatcher (71) and Canada pair Bryn Parry (71) and Chris Baryla (71) at 13-under 275.
He then held his nerve through the play-off to become the 19th Aussie to win on the Nationwide Tour.
“I’m very happy to perform well under pressure,” said Flanagan, who hit 11 of 14 fairways in regulation and needed just 26 putts in his final round.
“One of my goals this year was to win early. I’ve come close a couple of times, but this was definitely my best opportunity.
“I think I always knew it was going to happen. It was just a matter of when. To do it in my second year on tour is awesome.”
The $US81,000 ($97,900) prizemoney moves Flanagan into eighth place on the Nationwide money list, and gives him a strong chance of gaining his card for the full PGA Tour next year. The top 25 earn playing rights.
“I’m just trying to get to the PGA Tour and I’ve found that it is not an easy thing to do,” said Flanagan. “But this definitely helps the cause.”
Fellow Aussie Greg Chalmers fired a final-round 69 to finish a shot out of the play-off, but he consolidated his position in the top 25 on the money list.
AAP