Klauk's final putt seals second career Nationwide victory
MITCHELLVILLE, Md. -- Jeff Klauk made a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win the Melwood Prince George's County Open on Sunday.
He had a final-round 3-under 69 and finished 12-under 276 for his second career title.
"I've had that putt a thousand times in my life," said Klauk of the winning shot that resulted in a one-stroke victory, his first since 2003. "Right to left, just outside the hole. I just visualized it going in. It was probably the best putt I hit all week."
Klauk, one of four co-leaders to begin the day at The Country Club at Woodmore, finished off the win with a birdie from just in front of the hazard line behind the 18th green.
The putt got him to 12-under and ahead of Jeff Brehaut, who was holding the clubhouse lead at 11 under, and David Mathis, who was playing in the final group right behind Klauk and 11 under.
When Mathis, needing a birdie to tie, hooked his second shot at the par-5 hole into the water near the green, Klauk's victory was secure.
Brehaut (67) and Mathis (70) tied for second. Scott Gutschewski (69), Craig Bowden (69) and Australian Greg Chalmers (70) shared fourth place, two shots back. Ricky Barnes (71) and Gary Christian (71) tied for seventh, three behind the winner.
"I was nervous, don't get me wrong," said Klauk, who is in his seventh season on the Nationwide Tour. "I've been working with my coach, Cody Barnes, on keeping my mind quiet. Everybody knows out here you've got to really trust yourself and believe. I've been doing that this year, more so than any swing change. It's just believing in yourself and I finally started doing that."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
