Winless Kraft a victor in Puerto Rico
IN: News | US PGA | Puerto Rico Open (2008) | Round Four | by Bruce Young | 24 Mar 2008
Greg Kraft, who played in his first USPGA Tour event more than 16 years ago, finally won for the first time on the USPGA Tour when he outlasted long time leader, Bo Van Pelt and one of the pre tournament favourites, Jerry Kelly to win the inaugural staging of the Puerto Rico Open. Kraft had won the unofficial Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic in 1993 but this is his first official PGA Tour victory.
For Kraft who had only Veteran Member status on the PGA Tour leading into this week’s event, the victory offers a lifeline to the 43-year-old who has struggled in recent seasons on the PGA Tour when he has played there. The Veteran Member status provides the opportunity for those players who have made more than 150 cuts on the PGA Tour access to events if needed to fill the field. Given the nature of this week’s event that chance presented itself and Kraft made the most of it.
Despite a bogey at the last hole, Kraft was able to edge out both Van Pelt and Kelly who both birdied the last but fell one short of Kraft who had been rock solid on a difficult day for scoring.
Bo Van Pelt. who led after his opening round of 64, continued to lead throughout and heading into today’s final round he was ahead by one over Kraft and Brinnie Baird. An eagle at his 5th hole today kept him ahead but bogies at his 8th and 9th holes had him sharing the lead with Kraft and Baird as he made the turn.
While his challengers began to falter in the early stages of the back nine, Kraft remained steady and although he bogeyed the last he had done enough to win a title that will change his playing life as he looks ahead to the security it will bring over the next few years.
Kelly and Van Pelt finished runner up while Kevin Stadler produced the round of the day (67) to finish alone in fourth position.
New Zealander, Tim Wilkinson, was the leading Australasian when he finished with a final round of 69 to finish 6th. Consecutive birdies at his 17th and 18th holes made a significant difference in the cheque he earned as he pocketed US$117,000, his biggest cheque in professional golf by some US$57,000. Wilkinson has finished off recent events much better than the 78 he produced when in contention at his season opening Sony Open and is slowly finding his feet in his rookie season.
Steve Allan birdied three of his last four holes for a share of 10th, Gavin Coles took advantage of a rare opportunity when 15th despite an ordinary last round of 73, Andrew Buckle was 28th, Stephen Leaney 39th and Michael Sim 51st.
The PGA Tour now moves to New Orleans for this week’s Zurich Classic.
