Blanks breaks three-way tie to capture first Nationwide title
GLENVIEW, Ill. -- Kris Blanks shot a 4-under 68 on Sunday after entering the final round in a three-way tie for the lead, and came away with his first victory on the Nationwide Tour at the Bank of America Open.
Blanks, a former bartender, started the day tied with Skip Kendall (76) and David McKenzie (72). But he had five birdies and just one bogey to finish at 16-under 272, one shot ahead of Bob May (64) and three ahead of Casey Wittenberg (68) and Brendon de Jonge (69).
"This is pretty special," said Blanks, the 35-year-old native of Warner Robbins, Ga. "Thirty-four years of work to get here today."
Blanks started the tournament with a 65 and followed with solid rounds 70 and 69.
"I knew if I just kept my composure everything would be all right," said Blanks, who hit all 18 greens in regulation. "For four days, this is as good as I've ever hit it."
May made birdie on the final hole to take the clubhouse lead at 15-under 273, forcing Blanks to birdie one of the final holes to grab sole possession of the lead.
He did just that, rolling an 8-iron to within one foot of the hole for the kick-in birdie.
Blanks, a three-time winner of the Hooters Tour, collects $135,000 and leaps from No. 31 to No. 5 on the Nationwide money list, with $205,505. He also moves a step closer to earning one of 25 PGA Tour cards for the 2009 season.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
