Dunlap overcomes tough conditions for win in Nationwide opener
PANAMA CITY, Panama (AP) -- Scott Dunlap won the Nationwide Tour's season-opening Panama Movistar Championship on Sunday, closing with a 1-over 71 for a one-stroke victory over Arjun Atwal and Jeff Klauk.
Panama Movistar Championship Leaderboard
1. Dunlap (-3)
T-2. Klauk (-2)
T-2. Atwal (-2)
4. Smith (-1)
5. Lunde (Even)
The 44-year-old Dunlap, also the tour's 2004 Mark Christopher Charity Classic winner, had a 3-under 277 total on the difficult Panama Golf Club course.
"It's the first tournament of the year and you almost don't have any expectations,'' Dunlap said. "I hadn't played a round of golf since Christmas. You come out here and you hope to play well, but you never know until the first tee. I mean, I was hitting it good on the range, but you never know if that will transfer to the golf course.''
Dunlap earned $108,000 from the $600,000 purse.
Klauk finished with a 69, and Atwal shot a 74. Chris Smith (74) was fourth at 1 under, and Bill Lunde (71) followed at even par.
Sunday's scoring average was 73.677, making it the toughest single day in tournament history. The cumulative scoring average was 72.982.
"It's almost like U.S. Open conditions here,'' Dunlap said. "The wind blows and the golf course gets firm. You know that scoring won't be that far under par. It's the same every year. Par is always a good on this course.
"To win on this golf course is very rewarding. This essentially gives me a two-year exemption. This sets me up for the rest of the year and gets me about halfway to earning my PGA Tour card for next year.''
The Mexico Open is next week at Tres Marias in Michoacan.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
