Flesch wins his second event of 2007
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2007 Turning Stone Resort Championship | Round Four | 24 Sep 2007
Left hander Steve Flesch today won his second tournament of the season and his fourth PGA Tour event when he finished two shots ahead of Michael Allen at the Turning Stone Resort Championship in Verona, New York.
Flesch emerged as a potential winner of the event after birdies at six of his first eight holes on Thursday and when he added a second round of 65 on Friday he controlled the tournament. His lead extended to four heading into the final round and despite two dropped shots early in today’s final round, he was back in control once again when he made the turn in one under 35 and led by five. Bogeys at the 16th and 18th holes perhaps flattered the chasers to some extent today as Flesch always appeared to have the tournament win in hand.
The win follows Flesch’s victory in the Reno Tahoe event in early August which was his first in more than three years. He had previously won the 2004 Colonial and in 2003 won the HP Classic in New Orleans.
Flesch is somewhat of a quiet achiever on the PGA Tour since first arriving in 1998. During that time he has won more than US$15 million, this victory taking him to US$2.2 million in 2007. Prior to joining the PGA Tour in 1998, Flesch played regularly on the Asian Tour, winning the 1996 Malaysian Open before joining the Nationwide Tour in 1997. When he graduated to the PGA Tour he was voted the Rookie of the Year but it took him more than 170 starts before he finally won at this level. Shoulder surgery in 2005 saw him record his worst year on tour but he now appears back to his best.
Runner up Michael Allen desperately needed something special today and he produced it despite a three putt par at the last. That lapse cost him nothing as he finished outright second, ahead of John Senden and John Mallinger.
For Allen it is a finish that guarantees him a place on the PGA Tour next season. He was in 154th place on the money list this season heading into this week but emerges in 89th position and avoids yet another trip to Tour School. He has been there on 13 previous occasions but he can enjoy his last few events of the season safe in the knowledge that he has a job in 2008. The finish matches his previous best on the USPGA Tour when runner up in the 2004 Chrysler Classic of Greensboro.
John Senden’s share of third has created yet another milestone for the 36-year-old Queenslander. The US$348,000 has moved his season’s earning to US$1,771,808 and past his previous best in 2006 which had of course included his one and only win on the PGA Tour at the John Deere Classic. He keeps improving as his confidence builds, his 4th place at the PGA Championship typifying a player with now much greater belief in his ability than has ever been the case previously.
Senden shared third with rookie John Mallinger who has performed with distinction in his debut season on the PGA Tour. Mallinger has moved to 44th on the money list and is the leading rookie in season 2007.
The next best of the Australians after Senden was Mathew Goggin who confirmed his PGA Tour card for 2008 with a solid last round of 69. It was his only top ten of the season but could not have come at a better time. He was in 118th place on the money list leading into this week but can now feel reasonably confident of not having to return to Tour School. He is in 102nd position.
Nick Flanagan made a very impressive debut finishing in 18th place. After three weeks away from tournament golf back home in Australia, this was his first PGA Tour start as a card holder but showed that he is ready for the higher level.
Stuart Appleby was also 18th, Andrew Buckle, Jarrod Lyle and Robert Allenby 25th, Nick O’Hern 35th, Mark Hensby 57th and Nathan Green 67th.
The PGA Tour now moves to Mississippi for the Viking Classic while the leading players will play the Presidents Cup this coming week in Canada.
