Golfer tees off into the sun
Alex Aragon shot a final round 66, then had to wait and watch as both Duffy Waldorf and Paul Haley II came up one stroke short, giving the American his first career Nationwide Tour win at the weather-plagued TPC Stonebrae event on Sunday.
The former Stanford player, who had to return early Sunday morning to play the final three holes of the third round, had five birdies and one bogey to finish at 10-under par. The 33-year-old avoided a playoff when Waldorf missed a 35-foot birdie putt on the final hole, and Haley missed a 20-footer.
Matt Harmon tied the course record with a 61 on the strength of 10-birdies and a single bogey but also finished a stroke back.
Canadian Richard Scott carded a final round 69 to finish in a tie for 23rd at 3-under par. It's the best career finish for the Kingsville, Ont., golfer on the Nationwide Tour. It follows his tie for 36th at last month's event in Louisiana.
Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, Ont., - who was coming off his best career result - posted a final round 70 to finish in a tie for 26th at 2-under par.
Stuart Anderson of Sooke, B.C., birdied three of his first five holes en route to a final round 69. His tie for 61st is his best showing of the year since the season opening event in Colombia. Since then he's had three missed cuts and a disqualification.
Brad Fritsch of Ottawa closed with a final round 74 to finish in a tie for 67th.
Aragon was in danger of being disqualified Thursday when he locked his key in his car on the way to course, but didn't miss his tee time because of a two-hour fog delay. Then on Friday, he left his wallet at a gas station and when he returned to get it, it was gone.
Because of delays, he didn't play at all Friday, then played 33 holes Saturday and 21 Sunday.
"I kept saying to myself all day I was going to win the tournament," Aragon said. "Regardless of the outcome that's how I wanted to play. I didn't want to play with anything else on my mind.