Nielsen wins Dick's Sporting Goods Open
Endicott, NY (Sports Network) - Lonnie Nielsen fired a nine-under 63 on Sunday
to come from behind and win the Dick's Sporting Goods Open at En-Joie Golf
Course.
Nielsen established a new tournament scoring record on Sunday with a 21-under
195. R.W. Eaks and Eduardo Romero both finished at 199 when they won the last
two years.
The victory was Nielsen's second and both have come in New York, where he has
a residence. He captured the 2007 Commerce Bank Championship.
"I don't know what it is about New York. We need to get more tournaments here
obviously," joked Nielsen. "It was just great to see some familiar faces out
there pulling for me. They enjoyed it as much as I did."
Overnight leader Fred Funk posted an admirable, three-under 69, but squandered
a three-shot advantage. He finished at 18-under 198 and shared second place
with Ronnie Black, who carded a 66 on Sunday.
Nielsen got off to an amazing start in his quest to catch Funk.
He birdied the first and second holes, then ran in a 50-footer for eagle at
the par-five third. Nielsen kept it going with a five-foot birdie putt at the
fourth and got up and down for birdie from a bunker at the par-five fifth
hole.
All totaled, Nielsen started six-under through his first five and found
himself tied with Funk, who tallied three birdies in his first six holes.
"I was hoping for a fast start," acknowledged Nielsen. "I never envisioned
anything like six-under through five."
With Nielsen and Funk tied, neither was able to do much around the turn.
Nielsen parred his next six holes, as did Funk, but Nielsen two-putted from 20
feet for a birdie at the par-five 12th.
Nielsen stayed one ahead thanks in part because of Funk's inability to make
any birdies. Funk had some good looks at birdie, but couldn't convert any of
them. He parred out, but Nielsen still had some magic left.
Nielsen birdied the short 16th to move two clear with one hole left. To
punctuate the win, Nielsen drained a 12-footer for birdie at the last to pad
his margin of victory.
"Twenty-one under, never been 21-under before. I don't know how to add," joked
Nielsen, who pocketed $247,500 for the championship. "I tried to stay in the
moment. I got a couple of nice breaks. All of those add up. I needed all of
them."
Brad Bryant shot a 65 on Sunday and took fourth at minus-15, followed by Dan
Forsman (65), John Morse (67) and Jay Haas (69) at 13-under 203.
Mike Hulbert (69) and Gary Hallberg (71) shared eighth at minus-12.
06/28 17:02:27 ET

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