David Hearn has best finish of his career
Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:23:07
CP
Las Vegas - Kevin Na won the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title, birdieing Nos. 15-17 to pull away for a two-stroke victory over Nick Watney.
The 28-year-old Na closed with a 6-under 65 for a tournament-record 23-under 261 total at TPC Summlerin in the Fall Series opener. Watney, a two-time winner this year, shot a 67.
Tied for the lead with Watney entering the round, Na sealed the breakthrough victory with a 42-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th. Na and Watney both parred the par-4 18th.
"I'm just very excited about my first win," said Na, who starting playing golf a year after his family moved to the United States from South Korea when he was 8. "It wasn't easy. Nick was coming right behind me. It looked like any time he was going to make a move, and I tried the best that I could to stay one step ahead of him. I think the putt on 17 basically sealed the deal for me."
David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., shot a final-round 65 to jump into a tie for fifth at 17 under which will go a long way to securing his 2012 PGA Tour. Hearn's bogey-free 65 was his best score of the year and the result was his best finish on the tour in 56 career starts. The cheque for $149,160 (all currency U.S.) took his season earnings to $678,548, leaving him 108th on the PGA Tour's money list.
With just three tournaments left on the calendar, Hearn is looking good to stay within the top 125 and retain full playing privileges for next year. In the past three years, the player ranked No. 125 on the money list earned between $662,000 and $852,000.
Stephen Ames of Calgary tied for 24th place at 14 under in his first tournament since early August. He picked up just over $38,000 and took his season haul to $528,122. He's No. 131 on the money list but his card is secure through 2013 because of his 2006 Players Championship victory and other wins.
