Date: February 25, 2008
Author: Sportal

Flanagan flies to fast finish

Nick Flanagan has stormed home with a six-under par 64 to claim his first top-ten finish in a PGA event at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico. The Australian ran hot from the 7th hole scoring five consecutive birdies to card the round of the day and finish in a tie for ninth position two shots behind compatriot Peter Lonard. After 293 starts on the PGA tour, American Brian Gay broke through to claim his first title finishing at sixteen-under par for the tournament to secure a two-shot victory from the fast finishing Steve Marino. Flanagan, who finished third on the money list on the second-tier Nationwide Tour last year, had a previous best finish of equal 17th at the 2007 Viking Classic and the Mayakoba tournament was only the second time he had made the cut in six starts this year. In comparison to his third round eight-under par 62, Gay finished in conservative fashion with a solid one-under par 69. Marino did his best to haul in Gay, who entered the final round with a five shot lead, but his four-under par 66 was not enough to steal first prize. Americans John Merrick and Matt Kuchar shared third position at twelve-under par while Lonard finished in a tie for sixth position at nine-under the card. Australian Matt Jones was well back in the field at three-under alongside Michael Sim while Steve Allan, David Lutterus and New Zealander Tim Wilkinson finished a further stroke back at one-under.