Bertsch wins by four

Shane Bertsch followed up a career-best round of 63 on Saturday with a four-under 68 on Sunday to post a four-shot win at the Buy.com Upstate Classic. Bertsch finished with a four-day total of 19-under 269 for his first-ever Buy.com Tour victory.

Bertsch earned a first-prize of $72,000 and moved into the top-15 on the tour's money list. He became the 11th first-time winner on the tour this season.

Timothy Straub, who started the day with a two-shot lead over Bertsch and second-round leader Vaughn Taylor, struggled to a two-over 74 on Sunday and finished second at 15-under. Taylor had an even tougher day, carding a three-over 75 to finish fifth at minus-12.

Vance Veazey shot an even-par 72 on Sunday and finished third at 14-under, while Matt Peterson carded a three-under 69 to wind up fourth at minus-13.

Bertsch bogeyed the first hole, while playing partner Straub bogeyed the second and third holes to drop to 15-under. Straub birdied the fourth hole, but Bertsch notched birdies on the third and fifth holes to draw even with Straub at minus-16.

Bertsch took the lead for good with a birdie on the eighth hole, then sandwiched a pair of birdies around a par from holes 11-13 to open a three-shot lead with only five to play.

"I was trying not to watch the board and see what people were doing," said Bertsch. "I hit a lot of solid shots coming in."

Bertsch holed out from the sand for a birdie on the 13th hole and chipped in for another birdie on 15.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page