Blixt takes advantage second time round
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2012 Frys.com Open | Wrap | 15 Oct 2012
A week ago rookie Jonas Blixt suffered the disappointment of letting slip a great opportunity to win his first PGA Tour event when not able to finish off the Justin Timberlake event in Las Vegas.
Rather than wallow in pity, the Swede has today bounced back, overcoming some early nerves to his final round at the Frys.com Open in San Martin in California to defeat Tim Petrovic and Jason Kokrak by one shot.
Blixt, one of the best putters on the PGA Tour, had a great run on the greens all week and although he faced a nervous four footer at the least hole to seal the deal today he was more than up to the task.
Blixt attended Florida State while playing collegiate golf in the US and graduated to the PGA Tour by finishing 5th on last year’s then Nationwide Tour money list.
He took a while to get settled at this higher level but once he did he has put together several very impressive finishes. He missed out by one player on playing the BMW Championship in the FedEx Cup playoffs and last week despite his indifferent Sunday still managed to finish 3rd and secure his future on the PGA Tour.
Today he added yet another year of exemption and gained the other benefits a win of this type can earn a player.
Blixt was understandably still coming to terms with the victory as he sat down to face the assembled media. “I couldn’t be happier,” said the 28 year old. “I really can’t believe this is happening. There are a lot of people that I want to thank, everyone from Puma, Titleist, Cobra. My family is here. Huge reach out to my caddie, Zack. He’s been with me for four years. He’s a big part of this.”
“My family is here so it’s been really relaxed. I’ve barely touched a golf club after a round, which is really weird for me. A lot of people would say that’s really weird.”
Petrovic closed with a final round of 64 to set the mark early and had to wait nearly an hour to discover his fate.
Jimmy Walker, Vijay Singh, Alexander Rochas and John Mallinger tied for 4th, two shots from the winner.
Steven Bowditch and Danny Lee lead the Australasians when they tied for 16th, Lee moving to 167th on the money list and Bowditch to 187th. Lee will be haunted by a triple bogey at the 15th hole which might have a big impact on his ongoing status in three weeks time.
Mathew Goggin and first round leader, Nick O’Hern finished in a share of 22nd.
The PGA Tour now heads to Sea Island in Georgia for the McGladrey Classic.
