Hayes secures four stroke victory

BY iseekgolf.com | US PGA Tour | 2002 John Deere Classic | Final Round | 29 Jul 2002

J.P. Hayes claimed a four stroke victory over Robert Gamez after closing the tournament with a -4 (67) for a four stroke victory in the 2002 John Deere Classic. It was a long time between drinks for Hayes, with his last PGA Tour victory coming at the 1998 Buick Classic.

Hayes’ consistency this week was evident with the scoreboard showing only one bogey in the entire tournament. The payoff was that he took home the biggest prize of his career with just over US$540,000, along with a PGA Tour exemption for the next two years.

Gamez, who is still winless in almost twelve years, couldn’t catch Hayes and slipped into second place. Gamez earned US$324,000, nearly doubling his earnings for the year. Kirk Triplett posted a -6 (66) to finish third at -17.

John Senden lead the way for the Aussies, shooting four straight days of 68 to close the tournament at -12 and in equal 15th. Kiwi Michael Long was the only other Australasian player to make the cut and a final round of 69 pushed him into equal 64th at -3.

Seven players missed the weekend cut including Wayne Grady, who shot a second round -4 (67) but a first round 73 curbed his chances. Steve Allan -2, Rod Pampling -1, Mathew Goggin -1 , Bradley Hughes -1, Paul Gow 1, and Grant Waite 4.