Hicks defeats Wittenberg in Canada
IN: News | Nationwide | Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic (2008) | Round Four | by Bruce Young | 30 Jun 2008
Justin Hicks, who two weeks ago led the US Open after the opening round, showed that he had benefited from that experience when he defeated Casey Wittenberg in a playoff for the Nationwide Tour’s Wayne Gretsky Classic in Clarksburg, Ontario.
Hicks parred the first extra hole to edge out Wittenberg after producing a three shot swing on Wittenberg over the closing stages of the event.
Hicks led after the first round at the US Open and, although he did well to make the cut, he eventually finished 74th. The experience at Torrey Pines however has obviously strengthened his own belief and despite a struggling year on the Nationwide Tour to date, he has now given himself an opportunity to play the PGA Tour in 2009.
Hicks’ win this week moved him from 160th to 13th on the money list, the greater purse at this event providing a significant boost.
Wittenberg, who was the beaten finalist in Nick Flanagan’s US Amateur Championship five years ago, has generally played mini tours since and has to date not lived up to what was a significant amateur career.
A Walker Cup player and one of the USA’s brightest hopes on turning professional appears to be now heading in the right direction with success on the Hooters Tour in 2007. With several good finishes on the Nationwide Tour this season he is now assured of a PGA Tour card in 2009.
The best of the Australians was Aron Price, who led after round one and still had a chance to win his second event of the season late in the final round today. Two early bogeys in his round set Price back but six birdies in eleven holes from the 7th had him knocking on the door should the leaders falter. It was not to be but in finishing 5th, Price is now within about US$25,000 of the figure he needs to be on the PGA Tour in 2009.
Cameron Percy was 34th, Paul Gow, David McKenzie and Ewan Porter 41st, Andrew Bonhomme and Jarrod Lyle 51st and Greg Chalmers 56th.
