Ryan Ruffels has matched his career-best finish as a pro with a rousing second place on the PGA Tour Latino America in the Dominican Republic.
Ruffels, 19, carded an impressive closing five-under-par 66 to vault clear of a logjam in the doomed chase of runaway American leader Tee-K Kelly in Puerto Plata.
But five birdies, an eagle and two bogeys later, the young Victorian matched his second place on debut in Colombia last year and his runner-up finish in Costa Rica last month.
Ruffels signed for rounds of 68-68-68-66 to reach 14 under and highlight his improved consistency, but simply couldn’t match Kelly’s 21-under total after his opening 61 blew the tournament apart.
The result moved Ruffels up to sixth on the tour’s order of merit and just $500 shy of his target in the top five, who automatically advance to the Web.Com Tour’s playoffs later in the year.