GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Nick Flanagan birdied his final three holes Sunday and shot a 7-under 65 to win the BMW Charity Pro-Am at the Cliffs, his second Nationwide Tour victory in as many starts.
Flanagan began the final round at Cliffs Valley in a tie for sixth place, three shots off the overnight lead, but claimed a one-shot win at 15-under 271 after a round that included eight birdies and a bogey.
The next time he travels to his native Australia, he may well be a star.
‘These are the first two (Nationwide) events they’ve put on TV back home,’ said Flanagan, ‘and I’ve been lucky enough to win them.’
In addition to his $117,000 check, Flanagan was awarded a BMW X5 sports utility vehicle. The $198,000 in earnings from his two victories (he also won the Henrico County Open three weeks ago) has all but guaranteed the 22 year old a PGA TOUR card for next season.
(He would win an immediate battlefield promotion to the PGA with one more win this year.)
‘I wanted to play well early and I’ve done that,’ Flanagan said. ‘Hopefully we can get one more.’
Nicholas Thompson fired an 8-under 64 and finished alone in second place, one shot behind Flanagan at 14-under 272. Marc Turnesa had a 66 and was another stroke further back at 273.
The third-round leader, Richard Johnson, and upstart challenger Tommy Gainey, the former and current contestant on the Golf Channel series ‘The Big Break’ who held second place overnight, had disappointing rounds.
Johnson was done in by a double-bogey at the 13th hole and shot a 70 to share fourth place with Todd Fischer (68) at 12-under 274.
Gainey tumbled well off the pace early when he went bogey-double bogey on the second and third holes. He closed with a 5-over 77 and slipped all the way into a tie for 30th place at 5-under 281.
For Flanagan, the victory was really a testament to his putting. He finished first in both putts per round and putts per greens in regulation and also made more birdies -- 25 -- than any other player this week.
‘I just hung in there and putted well this week,’ said Flanagan, ‘and that got me across the line.’
And a new car.
Gainey, a Bishopville, S.C. resident will face Ashley Gomes in the finale of the GOLF CHANNELs The Big Break VII: Reunion Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET.
Related Links:
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up
