LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Charlie Beljan had no reason to panic Sunday. His wild week at Disney ended with a comfortable lead and his first PGA Tour victory.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Charlie Beljan had no reason to panic Sunday. His wild week at Disney ended with a comfortable lead and his first PGA Tour victory.
Beljan, who felt as if he was going to die Friday from a panic attack that sent him to the hospital, ran off four straight birdies around the turn and built a five-shot lead on the back nine. He closed with a bogey for a 3-under 69 and a two-shot win in the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic.
The 28-year-old rookie threw his putter and repeatedly pumped his fists. He was in danger of losing his card in the final event of the year, but he now has a two-year exemption.
Tim Herron was the other winner, closing with a 69 to barely move into the top 125.
Cristie Kerr wins
Lorena Ochoa Invitational
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Cristie Kerr won the Lorena Ochoa Invitational on Sunday for her first LPGA Tour victory in more than two years, and Stacy Lewis tied for fourth to wrap up the player of the year award.
Kerr parred the final three holes at Guadalajara Country Club to hold off Angela Stanford and third-round leader Inbee Park by a stroke. Kerr finished at 16-under 272 for her 15th LPGA Tour title and first since the LPGA Championship in June 2010.
Stanford shot 68, and Park had a 72.
The second-ranked Lewis, coming off her tour-leading fourth victory of the year last week in Japan, is the first American player of the year since Beth Daniel in 1994.
Lewis closed with a 68 to match Candie Kung at 4 under. Kung also shot 68.
Manassero wins
Singapore Open in playoff
SINGAPORE — Matteo Manassero holed a 12-foot putt for eagle to beat Louis Oosthuizen on the third playoff hole and win the Singapore Open on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Italian became the first teenager to win three titles on the European Tour.
Oosthuizen and Manassero both finished at 13-under 271 in regulation. The South African had seven birdies and three bogeys to card a 67 in the final round, while Manassero, the third-round leader, had three birdies in a round of 69.
Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, barely missed a 4-foot putt for the title on the second playoff hole, covering his mouth in disbelief after it lipped out.
Rory McIlroy finished in third place at 10 under, guaranteeing he will win the European Tour money title. He becomes the second golfer after Luke Donald last year to win both the PGA Tour and European money titles in the same season.