honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 3:25 p.m., Sunday, August 26, 2007

McLachlin blows 7-stroke lead, finishes tied for fourth

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Parker McLachlin's seven-stroke lead quickly disappeared today turning into a nightmare 5-over-par 77, finishing three strokes behind winner Jimmy Walker in the Nationwide Tour's National Mining Association Pete Dye Classic at Bridgeport, W.Va.

McLachlin, a PGA rookie from Honolulu who led the first three rounds, finished at 12-under 276. Walker shot a 67 today for a 273.

"I played defensively, and my game plan (earlier) was pedal to metal and attack the golf course. I just made some defensive swings," McLachlin told the Golf Channel. "It's something to build on."

After making just three bogeys in the first three rounds, McLachlin made three bogeys and a double-bogey on the front nine turning his seven stroke lead into a two-stroke deficit.

He bogeyed the Nos. 3, 5 and 7 and a double-bogey on the par-4 No. 8 to make the turn at 5-over-par and 12-under overall. Meanwhile, Walker, Justin HIcks (66) and Matthew Jones (68) all shot under par to pass McLachlin, who made two more bogeys on the back nine (Nos. 11 and 14).

McLachlin eagled the par-5 No. 17, but it was too little, too late.

Hicks and Jones finished tied for second a stroke back at 274. Tom Carter (67) finished tied for fourth with McLachlin.

McLachlin, 28, played in the Nationwide event at Pete Dye Golf Club after missing out being one of the 144 players who qualified for the PGA's first-ever playoffs.

The Pete Dye Classic winner takes home $108,000.