Date: July 20, 2009
Author: Sportal and PA Sport

Chalmers stumbles as Van Pelt wins

Australian Greg Chalmers missed out on his maiden PGA Tour title after stumbling to a one-over-par 71 in the final round of the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee. Starting the day one stroke behind leader Frank Lickliter II, Chalmers failed to recapture his early tournament form and eventually finished in a tie for 15th at nine-under. American Lickliter also struggled with a 74 in his final round to finish a shot behind Chalmers in a tie for 18th place. The final group&aposs failure allowed Bo Van Pelt and John Mallinger to storm to the top of the leaderboard with rounds of 64 and 65 respectively. On the same day that Stewart Cink defeated veteran Tom Watson over four extra holes at Turnberry, Mallinger and Van Pelt were sent beyond regulation after finishing 72 holes tied on 13-under at the par-70 Brown Deer Park course. Van Pelt edged ahead of his rival at the second play-off hole after both men birdied the par-five 18th first time around. Having each executed perfect drives, Mallinger attempted to follow Van Pelt onto the green but his approach found a bunker short and to the right. His rescue attempt came up short and outside of Van Pelt&aposs putt and Mallinger&aposs two-putt left Van Pelt with two putts to win. It was still not cut and dried though, as Van Pelt left his first putt short, but he buried the second and in his 229th start, the American landed his first PGA Tour victory. “I guess there comes a point when you have to draw a line in the sand and say, &aposenough&aposs enough&apos,” an emotional Van Pelt said. “I&aposve had enough good chances and haven&apost got it done and now it feels good.” “The way I&aposve played these play-off holes made it worth the wait.” Jerry Kelly came in third place, a shot behind the leaders, while Dicky Pride, Jeff Quinney and Jeff Klauk shared fourth position on 11-under. Nick O&aposHern was the next best Australian, closing with a 66 to move up to 31st position, while Mark Hensby and Steve Elkington tied for 46th place, one shot ahead of Stephen Leaney and Matt Jones who finished 50th at two-under.