Date: October 22, 2012
Author: Omnisport

Gainey storms to McGladrey Classic win

Tommy Gainey has carded one of the top-10 scores on the PGA Tour in the last five years to pull off a stunning win at the McGladrey Classic. Gainey carded a 10-under 60 to overcome a seven-shot deficit on the final day and claim the equal second-largest comeback of the PGA Tour season, overcoming David Toms by one stroke. Jim Furyk was a further shot back in third, while Stuart Appleby and Mathew Goggin were the best-placed Australians, tied for 27th. Since 2007, only five other players have shot 60 on the PGA Tour. Furyk and Davis Love III led the field heading into the final round at the Seaside Course at Sea Island, Georgia, but could not hold off Gainey as he notched eight birdies and an eagle on the par-five 15th hole on his way to the title and 16 under for the tournament. The 37-year-old American picked up four birdies on the front nine, including three in the first five holes, and then went on a brilliant run on the back nine with birdies on the 13th, 14th and 16th, split by his eagle, which came from a wedge shot from a bunker. Sunday&aposs win was Gainey&aposs maiden PGA Tour triumph. Furyk had the best chance to force a play-off but when he needed a birdie on the last hole, he three-putted for bogey. The 42-year-old veteran finished with a one-under 69 to score 14 under for the week, while Toms scored four birdies on the last six holes to card 63 and finish between Furyk and Gainey. Zimbabwe&aposs Brendon de Jonge, DJ Trahan and Love III finished tied for fourth on 12 under, with England&aposs Greg Owen, as well as Chad Campbell and Charles Howell III all a further shot back. Love III had a terribly inconsistent round in Georgia, with two bogeys, a double-bogey on the par-four 16th, cancelling out his three birdies. Appleby claimed three birdies on the back nine to card a one-under 69 and move into a group of 16 at seven under, which also included Goggin, who shot a 72. Nathan Green, Matt Jones and Gavin Coles were the next Australians on the leaderboard at four under, tied for 51st.