Gomez picks up first PGA victory
Fabian Gomez held his native flag close while celebrating his first career PGA Tour title at the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tenn. A win to remember is even more special now he’s the fifth champion from Argentina, joining mentor Jose Coceres, Angel Cabrera, Andres Romero and Roberto De Vicenzo.
“That list for me is an honor, and we shared many, many weeks with Andres, Angel,” Gomez said Sunday through a translator. “When they play on the tour the same week with me, we share some barbecue. We had one last night, and I know that they are going to be happy for this situation right now.”
Gomez, 36, started Sunday tied with Greg Owen atop the leaderboard at 9 under with 23 players within four strokes. Gomez finished a fourstroke win that was the largest at this event since 2009 with a 13under 267 total after shooting 4under 66 in the final round. He carded a five birdie-one bogey round for his first PGA title in his 70th start in a season already featuring three top 25s.
Taking home the winner’s check of $ 1.08 million is a nice turnaround for Gomez who had to earn back his tour card through the Web.com Tour last year.
Phil Mickelson remains winless since the 2013 as he tied for third ( 65272). He finished with a flourish, rolling in a 25footer for birdie that nearly lipped out on No. 18. Mickelson finished tied with Seung Yul Noh ( 65), Michael Thompson ( 66), Matt Jones ( 68) and Brooks Kopeka ( 70).
Mickelson used this event at TPC Southwind, sponsored by FedEx, to tune up his game for the U. S. Open at Chambers Bay in Washington. He carded eight birdies Sunday with three bogeys and says he got the confidence boost hewanted.
“I’m feeling a lot better about heading into the U. S. Open after this week than I did after last,” Mickelson said.
Champions Tour
In Belmont, Mass., Bernhard Langer won the Senior Players Championship for the second year in a row. It’s his fifth major on the Champions Tour.
The twotime Masters winner shot a 3underpar 68 in the final round to finish at minus19. That’s six strokes ahead of Kirk Triplett, who shot 64 to vault into second place at minus13.
European Tour
In Atzenbrugg, Austria, Chris Wood came from five strokes behind to win the Lyoness Open for his second European Tour title.
The Englishman had a bogeyfree round of 5under 67 to finish on 15under 273, two strokes clear of Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain.