Gainey goes low for breakthrough victory
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2012 The McGladrey Classic | Wrap | 22 Oct 2012
Tommy Gainey has won his first PGA Tour event with a brilliant final round of 60 at the McGladrey Classic at Sea Island in Georgia, the 37 year old turning around what had been a disappointing year to date.
Gainey moved with one birdie of a sub 60 round when he birdied the 13th and 14th holes then eagled to 15th and birdied the 16th. It was a run that took him to the lead and although he was unable to secure the one further birdie to become one of the few to record a round in the 50’s, he had set up the chance for his breakthrough win.
Gainey began his final round more than two hours ahead of the final group of tournament host Davis Love and Jim Furyk. He was already making significant progress on the leaders when he reached 5 under through 11 holes but the run which began at the 13th would set up the victory.
The birdies dried up for Furyk on the final day but he kept his hopes alive when he birdied the 15th to move within one. Furyk then holed a 14 foot par saving put at the 17th to keep his hopes alive but missed the green from the fairway at the last and his challenge was effectively over. A bogey there by Furyk saw him slip back to 3rd place behind Gainey and David Toms who was another to go low on the final day with a round of 63.
Danny Lee, Stuart Appleby and Mathew Goggin finished as the leading Australasians on what was a disappointing week overall for them. They shared 27th position although all three are currently outside the top 150 on the money list and will be chasing a good finish at the season ending Children’s Miracle Network event in Orlando in three weeks time.
Appleby will be assured of some status on the PGA Tour in 2013 but for the others they are facing the prospect of a return to Stage two of the Tour School.
Nathan Green, Matt Jones and Gavin Coles who finished 51st this week are also in that category as they too look for a miracle in Orlando.
Jason Day finished 57th this week while Rod Pampling slipped to 124th on the money list and once again on the bubble when he finished 70th.
Discuss this article in our forums
