Steve Flesch captured the Reno-Tahoe Open after a comfortable five-stroke victory. The 40-year-old Flesch, who earned his third career PGA victory, became the first wire-to-wire winner this year on the tour. Elkington was the leading Australian, firing a final round of 73 to finish in a tie for sixth place at seven-under, while two shots further adrift in equal 12th place were compatriots Steve Allan and Jarrod Lyle. Starting the final day in equal second place at 10-under, Allan crashed out of contention with a round of 77 which included six bogeys and a double bogey. New Zealander Grant Waite (75) finished in equal 25th place at three-under, one clear of Australian Gavin Coles (71), while fellow Australian Andrew Buckle tied for 57th at three-over. While Flesch has enjoyed the lead after 54 holes seven times in his career, he had only converted one – the 2004 Bank of America Colonial – prior to Sunday&aposs effort at Montreux Golf and Country Club. Charles Warren and Reno-born Kevin Stadler finished tied for second at 10-under, while Rich Barcelo and John Merrick tied for fourth at eight-under. Results from the Reno-Tahoe Open: (par 72) -15: Steve Flesch 63 69 69 72 -10: Charles Warren 71 63 73 71, Kevin Stadler 74 67 67 70 -8: Rich Barcelo 71 72 69 68, John Merrick 65 73 68 74 -7: Shaun Micheel 68 70 71 72, Brendon de Jonge 67 70 72 72, Steve Elkington (Australia) 69 70 69 73 -6: Michael Allen 70 72 70 70, Brian Davis 68 73 71 70, Todd Fischer 69 68 69 76 -5: Lucas Glover 67 72 74 70, Jarrod Lyle (Australia) 67 71 75 70, Alex Cejka 70 74 69 70, Paul Stankowski 74 69 71 69, Ken Duke 74 66 72 71, Johnson Wagner 68 69 74 72, Dean Wilson 71 71 69 72, Jose Coceres 64 72 72 75, Steve Allan (Australia) 65 72 69 77 Also: -3: Grant Waite (NZ) 68 72 70 75 -2: Gavin Coles (Australia) 71 69 75 71 +3: Andrew Buckle (Australia) 71 73 76 71
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