Lamely overpowers rivals in Puerto Rico
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2010 Puerto Rico Open | Round Four | 16 Mar 2010
29-year-old Derek Lamely has overcome a slow start to his rookie season on the PGA Tour with an impressive two shot victory at the weather disrupted Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular.
Halfway through round two of the event at the Trump International Golf Club in Rio Grande, Lamely appeared as if he might be about to miss yet another cut but he fought back with a solid final nine to make the cut by two and then unleashed a powerful finish.
A third round of 63, saw him move into 5th and even though he was forced to play in his third round pairings in round four and therefore finished his tournament at the 9th green and two hours ahead of the final group, his round of 66 saw him the winner by two.
“Was this my best performance?. Yeah, in ways, yes and in ways, no. I think being in the moment, I think, you know, especially from last year playing Nationwide and having three or four chances to win, it really helped me for today, you know, really kind of just playing golf and not thinking about outcome.”
Second season player Kris Blanks finished alone in second position while Steve Wheatcroft, Brendan de Jonge, James Nitties and third round leader, Kevin Streelman finished in a share of third.
For Nitties it was his first cheque of the year after missing his first six cuts and gets him back on track to repeat and perhaps even better his fine rookie season in 2009.
Steve Elkington finished 7th, Aron Price 3rd, Phil Tataurangi 45th, Jarrod Lyle 54th and Cameron Percy 67th.
The PGA Tour’s next stop will be at the Transitions event at Palm Harbour in Florida starting on Thursday.
