Imada wins first tour event

Ryuji Imada became the first Japanese-born player to win in the 11-year history of the Buy.com Tour, as he carded his third consecutive 68 to post a five- shot win over third-round leader Todd Demsey at the Virginia Beach Open.

Imada, who left the University of Georgia after his sophomore season last year, finished the four days at 13-under par at the Tournament Players Club of Virginia Beach.

"This gets me closer to where I want to go," said Imada. "This is certainly the biggest and toughest to win. We're not even one-third of the way through the season, but hopefully I can keep it going."

Imada trailed Demsey by one shot heading into Sunday's final round, but drew even following a bogey by Demsey on the fourth. Imada took the lead for good with a birdie on the par-5 fifth and stretched his lead to three heading into the back nine with a birdie on eight and a Demsey three-putt on nine.

"He played great, no question," said Demsey. "I didn't play well enough to win. I didn't put any pressure on him at all. I had no offense. I was sort of bunting it around. It's disheartening not to give myself a chance at least."

Despite a final round of 74, Demsey tied his career-best finish.

Former PGA Tour winner Mike Heinen finished alone in third, six shots back, while Garrett Willis was fourth and Larry Rinker, Kent Jones and Brian Tennyson tied for fifth.

Buy.com Tour money leader Tripp Isenhour failed to break par all week and tied for 51st, while three-time runner-up in 2000 Chris Smith tied for 23rd.

The next event on the Buy.com Tour is the inaugural Steamtown Classic, June 1-4, at Glenmaura National Golf Club in suburban Scranton, Pennsylvania.

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