Lamely defeats amateur star in Columbus
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2009 Nationwide Childrens Hospital Invitational | Round Four | 03 Aug 2009
Tour rookie, Derek Lamely, has parred the second extra hole of a playoff against brilliant young amateur star, Rickie Fowler, at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational in Columbus, Ohio to win his first event on the Nationwide Tour.
29-year-old Lamely, who had won only US$15,000 prior to this week’s event on the Nationwide Tour in 2009, has had only partial status until now but his golfing life has changed dramatically as a result of this win. He is now well on his way to a top 25 at season’s end and if that is to be the case then he is on his way to the PGA Tour. His win today has moved him from 129th to 12th on the all important money list.
Earlier this season Lamely Monday qualified for the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open and finished 13th earning US$58,000 in the process.
Fowler, along with several other All Americans, gained a start in this event as a result of his amateur standing and so nearly pulled off a huge result. He led into the final few holes but a bogey at the last spoilt the chance of victory in regulation play. A bogey at the par three 13th (the second hole of the playoff) cost him his chance.
Fowler is expected to turn professional after the upcoming Walker Cup.
Gavin Coles trailed by one into the final round but it was a roller coaster ride today in his round of 74 and he finished in a share of third. He moves from 41st to 20th on the money list however. Coles has recorded rounds in the 60’s in 11 of his last 16 tournament rounds.
Won Joon Lee and Scott Gardiner tied for 11th, Phil Tataurangi was 24th, Andrew Buckle 29th, Grant Waite 34th, Alistair Presnell 43rd with Paul Gow and David McKenzie 51st.
The Nationwide Tour will now play the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open.
