Kirk Triplett
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Three-time PGA Tour winner Kirk Triplett won the News Sentinel Open on Sunday to become the oldest winner in Nationwide Tour history at 49 years, 4 months, 29 days, closing with his second straight 4-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Marco Dawson.
Triplett finished at 21 under on the Fox Den course and earned $90,000 to jump from 119th to 33rd on the money list with $110,523. The final top 25 will earn 2012 PGA Tour cards.
"I said it the other day, when I play out here I want to win and be competitive," Triplett said. "I came in here with the working man's attitude. I want to work on my game and be sharp. All the practice and working out is great, but nothing compares to being in the lead or near the lead in a golf tournament. It really shows what you're capable of when you put yourself in that position."
The 48-year-old Dawson also finished with a 68.
Ted Potter Jr. (69) and John Mallinger (70) tied for third at 18 under.
John Daly, playing on a sponsor exemption, had a 68 to tie for 32nd at 11 under. Two-time PGA Tour winner Boo Weekley, making his first Nationwide Tour start since 2006, had a 72 to also finish at 11 under.
Triplett won for the first time since the PGA Tour's 2006 Chrysler Classic in Tucson, Ariz.
"I've played a lot of years on tour and I'm sort of in the twilight part of my career, but feeling those competitive juices down the stretch and seeing all these great young players made me feel a lot younger," Triplett said. "The quality of these golfers over the last 15-20 years has gotten better and better and the game is in great hands."