Langham wins, Hensby third in Utah
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2007 Utah Energy Solutions Championship | Round Four | 10 Sep 2007
Franklin Langham has taken out the Utah Energy Solutions Championship in Sandy, Utah with a final round of three under par that saw him hold onto his overnight lead and win by two over Welshman Richard Johnson.
The 39-year-old Langham, has played both the Nationwide and PGA Tours since turning professional in 1992, this week’s victory was his third on the Nationwide Tour following wins in 1993 and 2004. Langham has played seven seasons on the PGA Tour where he has been four times runner up and this win today will assist his cause to return to the big time in 2008. The US$90,000 first prize moves him to around 20th on the 2007 Nationwide Tour money list with the top 25 graduating at season’s end.
Johnson’s US$54,000 will have him at US$192,000 and around 13th on the money list. He is heading for his best ever season in his seven years on the Nationwide Tour. The 35-year-old played collegiate golf in the US and now lives in Arkansas and after several years of trying, his chance to gain a PGA Tour card appears close to reality.
Australian Mark Hensby finished in a share of third after a solid final round had him on the edge of winning. Hensby has struggled over the last eighteen months or so following a car accident early in 2006. He has shown himself to be quite a talent on occasions, winning three times on the Nationwide Tour and once on the PGA Tour at the John Deere Classic in 2004. He also finished 5th at the Masters on debut in 2005.
He took advantage of a start this week to keep his game moving forward prior to the final few events on the PGA Tour starting in two weeks time. The decision to play will no doubt boost his playing spirits as he heads back to the PGA Tour where he is currently in 146th position.
Of the other Australians, Aron Price was 20th, Mathew Jones, David McKenzie and Scott Gardiner were 30th, while Steve Bowditch fell away in his final round to finish 63rd.
The Nationwide Tour’s next stop is in Junction City in Oregon for this coming week’s Oregon Classic.