Gay wins maiden PGA Tour title by two shots
Updated: 2008-02-25 11:01
MEXICO CITY - American Brian Gay shrugged off a late bogey to win his maiden PGA Tour title by two shots at the Mayakoba Classic on Sunday.
 US Brian Gay rests during a break at the Mayakoba Classic Golf Tournament, in Cancun, Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008. [Agencies] |
Five strokes clear of the chasing pack overnight, Gay faltered at the par-four 17th on his way to a one-under-par 69 on the El Camaleon course at the resort of Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya.
That left him at 16-under 264, ahead of second-placed American Steve Marino who birdied four of the last eight holes for a closing 66.
"I am feeling just relief right now, it seemed like a long day out there," Gay, 36, told reporters after clinching his first PGA Tour victory in his 293rd career start.
"Even though I had a big lead, it was tough trying to not make mistakes, just trying to make pars and get the ball in the center of the green."
Gay forged six strokes clear with consecutive birdies from the par-three seventh before Marino piled on the pressure with three birdies in four holes from the 11th.
"Steve was really playing good on the back (nine)," said Gay. "I had to just keep going a shot at a time and pick my targets and make good swings."
American Fred Funk, who became the fifth oldest winner in PGA Tour history with a playoff victory here over Argentina's Jose Coceres last year, signed off with a 75 to finish at five over.
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