Luke Guthrie wrapped a PGA Tour card for next season, winning the Boise Open on Sunday for his first Web.com Tour title.
In the process, the 22-year-old former Illinois player, dashed the hopes of University Place’s Michael Putnam for making a quick return to the PGA Tour.
Guthrie, who turned professional after the 2012 NCAA tournament, closed with a 6-under 65 for a four-stroke victory over Putnam and a trio of other golfers. He opened with rounds of 64, 71 and 62 and finished with a tournament-record 22-under 262 total at Hillcrest Country Club.
“It was awesome,” Guthrie said. “… I couldn’t be more proud of how I played.”
Guthrie earned $130,500 to jump from 22nd to fourth with $283,463, enough to earn a PGA Tour spot next year as a top-25 finisher.
Putnam, who led the first three rounds, needed 35 putts to finish his even-par 71. He tied with Richard H. Lee, a former University of Washington golfer, Scott Gardiner and Steve Wheatcroft.
Putnam, who won $47,850 to climb to 32nd on the tour money list, is trying to earn his way back to the PGA Tour after an injury cut short his 2011 season.
SHIN WINS BY 9
Jiyai Shin avoided mistakes in miserable weather conditions to cruise to a record nine-stroke victory in the Women’s British Open in Hoylake, England.
In the 36-hole finish Sunday in the wind-delayed tournament, Shin took a three-shot lead into the final round after shooting a 1-under 71 in the morning. She stayed calm while strong wind and heavy showers sent scores soaring at Royal Liverpool in the afternoon, closing with a 73 to finish at 9-under 279.
ELSEWHERE
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain won the Italian Open for the second time, finishing with an 8-under 64 to edge South Africa’s Garth Mulroy by two strokes in Fiano, Italy. … Willie Wood birdied the last two holes for a 6-under 66 to win the inaugural Hawaii Championship in Kapolei, Hawaii, his second win since August on the 50-and-over Champions Tour. … Javier Ballesteros, son of the late Seve Ballesteros, won the amateur Madrid Open by four strokes when he finished the three-round event in 6-under par.
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