Posted at 5:36 p.m., Sunday, July 15, 2007
Golf: BYU golfer is Nationwide's first amateur winner
Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio — BYU star Daniel Summerhays became the first amateur winner in Nationwide Tour history today, closing with a 2-under 69 for a two-stroke victory in the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational."It's been a really special week," the 23-year-old Summerhays said. "I'll never forget that feeling and that atmosphere. There is nothing like that feeling ... of having people whistle and clap for you. It makes your heart want to break out of your chest."
Summerhays, who capped his junior season early last month with a fourth-place tie in the NCAA tournament, had a 6-under 278 total on Ohio State University's Scarlet Course.
Chad Collins (69) and Chris Nallen (71) tied for second, each earning $100,800.
"He (Summerhays) handled himself wonderfully and hit the shots he needed to and made the putts when he needed to make them," Nallen said. "Give him a bunch of credit for that. My hat's off to him. ... He's got a great bright future ahead of him."
Summerhays is the nephew of Champions Tour player Bruce Summerhays.
Tjaart van der Walt (69) was fourth at 3 under, and Patrick Sheehan (66), Steven Bowditch (66), Tom Scherrer (67), Brenden Pappas (67) and Jason Day (67) followed at 2 under. Last week, Day became the youngest Nationwide Tour winner, taking the Legend Financial Group Classic in Highland Heights at 19.
