McLachlin claims first event in Reno
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2008 Reno-Tahoe Open | Round Four | 04 Aug 2008
29-year-old Parker McLachlin became yet another first time winner on the PGA Tour when he not only secured the Legends Reno Tahoe Open title but blitzed the field by a massive seven shots. While a prolific winner of mini tour events, McLachlin’s previous best finish on the PGA Tour was a 5th at last year’s Turning Stone Resort and again at the recent AST&T Classic at Sugarloaf.
McLachlin, now in his third full season on the PGA Tour after having regained his status last year, set his victory up with a second round of 62 and by the time he had signed for his third round of 66, the event was all but over. He started the final round with a six shot lead over England’s Brian Davis and extended that to win by seven over Davis and John Rollins.
Steve Elkington finished as the equal leading Australian in 14th position after Queenslander, Andrew Buckle, lost his way after a good start to his final round. Buckle made a fast start to the day with a birdie and an eagle in his first few holes and at 12 under at that point, he was challenging for a second place finish.
Buckle, who needs a big finish to the season if he is to avoid Tour School, dropped six shots in his next twelve holes and not only dropped out of contention but cost himself a lot of money in the process. He finished in a share of 14th. It was a horror finish for the talented Queenslander but there were at least encouraging signs for him and it was by far his best finish on the PGA Tour this season.
Gavin Coles was 43rd, Nick Flanagan 67th and Matt Jones 69th.
Flanagan started the tournament brilliantly and was in second place behind McCachlin after 36 holes but fell apart over the weekend with rounds of 77 and 82. While not apparent at this stage it may be that there was an injury problem as his demise was almost too bad to be true.
Michelle Wie again missed the cut at a men’s event, this time by nine shots although she still beat home 2001 British Open champion, David Duval along with ten others, who no doubt got a ribbing in the locker room afterwards.
