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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, August 10, 2009

Rollins regroups in Reno


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

John Rollins overcame three late bogeys to win the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open by three strokes.

DAVID B. PARKER | Reno Gazette-Journal via AP

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RENO, Nev. — Like the five times before when he led after three rounds, John Rollins looked as if he might squander a chance for his third PGA Tour victory when he bogeyed three of four holes late in the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open.

But this time, the 34-year-old Virginian righted the ship, made a birdie on the 636-yard, par-5 17th and hung on for an even-par 72 and a three-stroke victory yesterday at the Montreux Golf and Country Club course.

Rollins, who tied the course record with a second-round 62 and led by six strokes at the turn yesterday, offset an early double bogey with a chip-in eagle at the par-5 11th. But that's when the trouble began, with bogeys on Nos. 12, 13 and 15.

"It was a hang-on kind of day. I'm proud I managed to come out on top," said Rollins, who tied for second at Reno last year. "I had to battle a lot of emotions."

He finished at 17-under 271.

"After I bogeyed 15, I sort of kicked myself in the butt and told myself I'm not going to let this tournament get away from me," he said. "Luckily, we ran out of holes and we came out on top."

Martin Laird made a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th to shoot a 66 and tie for second with Jeff Quinney, who also shot a 66 on the strength of six birdies. Joe Ogilvie (71) was fourth at 13 under.

"It's nice to birdie the last," Laird said. "The difference between (second and third) is a whole bunch of money and a whole bunch of FedExCup points."

Quinney said it was some of the best golf he has played since a six-week layoff in the spring.

"I was just focused and staying in the present with what I was doing and I pretty much thought Rollins was running away with it," he said. "I didn't know he made a couple of bogeys late."

Defending champion Parker McLachlin, a Punahou School and UCLA alum, shot a final-round 72 to finish at 5-under 283. He won $14,829.

SONG DOUBLES UP

Jennifer Song became the second woman to win two U.S. Golf Association championships in the same year, beating Jennifer Johnson, 3 and 1, yesterday in the U.S. Women's Amateur final at St. Louis.

Song, 19, won the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links in June and was the low amateur last month in the U.S. Women's Open.

"I can't put into words how honored I am," said Song. "It's been a long time since Pearl Sinn won two in one year in 1988, which is one year before I was even born."

Song trailed Johnson, 17, by four holes early in the morning round.

"My dad (and caddie) kept telling me, 'Jennifer, you're going to win,' " Song said. "Throughout the whole round he kept me in a positive mind and he kept making me smile."

The match was tied after 32 holes. Song made a 7-footer for par on the 33rd hole to regain the lead and made it 2-up with a 6-foot birdie putt on No. 34. Song won when Johnson couldn't get up and down from a greenside bunker on the par-3 35th.