Gronberg's great Sunday in Maryland
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2009 Melwood Prince Georges County Open | Round Four | 08 Jun 2009
A brilliant final 36 holes on a very congested Sunday saw Mathias Gronberg run out the winner at the Nationwide Tour’s Melwood Prince George’s County Open in Maryland. It is Gronberg’s first win on either the PGA or Nationwide Tour since first joining the PGA Tour in 2004 after earning medallist honours at the 2003 PGA Tour School.
With rain delays earlier in the week creating the need for two rounds on Sunday to complete the event, Gronberg began the day five shots behind the 36 hole leader, Cameron Percy, but the 39-year-old Swede would record ten birdies and an eagle during those final 36 holes. He would eventually win by six shots over Robert Damron and Justin Bolli.
This might be just the boost Gronberg needs to kick start his PGA Tour career, having only just held on to status at the higher level in recent years. He regained his PGA Tour card at the Tour School late last year but has again struggled to gain starts in 2009. An 11th place finish in Texas three weeks ago seems to have signalled a turnaround in fortune. Keen to keep playing and without a start at the Memorial he played this event to keep the momentum going.
Percy struggled a little in round three but was still only two behind heading into the afternoon round. He recorded bogeys at his opening two holes in the final round and his chance of a breakthrough victory was gone.
Still for Percy it is another good week, a birdie at his final hole ensuring his 4th top ten in his last six starts. Percy finished in a share of 6th, will take his earning to US$111,000 or so and will move close to the top ten on the money list.
Michael Sim had another good week finishing 10th and increases his lead on the money list even further. Adam Bland continued a good rookie season on the Nationwide Tour when he finished 12th, David McKenzie and Gavin Coles were 20th, Andrew Buckle was 42nd, Alistair Presnell 52nd and Steve Alker 60th.
