• PGA Tour

Bettencourt wins big in Nevada

ESPN staff
July 19, 2010
Matt Bettencourt celebrates his crucial eagle at the 11th on Sunday © Getty Images
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Matt Bettencourt held on to win the Reno-Tahoe Open in Nevada by a stroke as playing partner Bob Heintz missed a three-foot putt on the 72nd green that would have forced a play-off.

With a congested overnight leaderboard there was everything to play for in Sunday's final round but the tournament eventually came down to a head-to-head duel between Bettencourt and Heintz. Bettencourt's bogey at the 18th, brought about by visits to the fairway and greenside bunkers, didn't prove costly as Heintz failed to capitalise, handing Bettencourt his maiden PGA Tour victory with a score of 11-under.

Bettencourt had led after the first round of play with his week-best score of 66, but a third-round 75 brought him back into the pack ahead of Sunday's play. An eagle at the 11th helped him stretch his way to a three-stroke lead with the finish line in sight and a birdie at the 17th looked set to clinch the win, until Heintz also birdied the penultimate hole to set up the drama at the final green.

A third American in John Merrick and Swede Mathias Gronberg tied for third on nine under par after equaling Heintz's 69 final round, and Robert Gamez carded his third-straight 68 to take equal fifth place with four other players.

It was a tournament devoid of outstanding rounds, with the exception of Graham DeLaet's superb 62 on Saturday, the day many players struggled most. The Canadian failed to break 70 in his other three rounds though, leaving the steadier players to challenge for honours.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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