PGA Tour player Kevin Na won a
Nationwide Tour event on his home course Sunday, closing with a
2-under 69 for a three-stroke victory in the Mark Christopher
Charity Classic.
The 23-year-old Na, making his first start since withdrawing from
the PGA Tour's Houston Open in late April because of a hand injury,
led wire-to-wire, finishing with a 16-under 268 total on the Empire
Lakes Golf Club course.
``I was hoping I'd have a chance to win because this is my home
course and in my hometown,'' said Na, who skipped his senior year of
high school to turn pro at 17. ``Playing on my home course was a
huge advantage. The course was playing so difficult. Most everyone
today was near even par, which shows how tough it was playing.''
Na, who matched the course record with a 62 on Thursday and
followed with rounds of 66 and 71 to take a one-stroke lead into the
final day, earned US$90,000 for the victory in only his second
career Nationwide Tour start. The South Korea-born player also won
the Volvo Masters of Asia and Long Beach Open, both in 2002.
``It is nice to have another win on the resume,'' Na said. ``I
played solid the whole week. I putted well and hit it well all
week.''
Na, who plans to return to the PGA Tour next week for the
Frys.com Open in Las Vegas, broke his hand in a car-door accident in
January. He tried to play through the pain, eventually making nine
starts on the PGA Tour before taking a long break after opening with
a 77 in Houston. He's currently 201st on the PGA Tour money list.
``The layoff was frustrating because I wanted to play, but what
can you do?'' said Na, who has earned more than $2 million since
joining the PGA Tour in 2004. ``But it freshened me up mentally and
I think that is why I played so well this week. This is a big
confidence boost for me. People don't realize how good the
Nationwide Tour is. I believe it will become easier to win now.''
Chris Tidland (66) and Jeff Quinney (71) tied for second at 13
under, New Zealand's Grant Waite (71) was another stroke back, and
Ken Duke (72) was fifth at 11 under.
Brett Bingham from Red Deer, Alta., tied for 6th with a 3-under
68.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
