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Bates gains narrow victory

Pat Bates carded a two-under 70 on Sunday to win the Buy.com Siouxland Open by one shot over Matt Kuchar and Eric Meeks.

The win was Bates' third on the Buy.com Tour and his second in this event, taking the title in 1994. His last win came at the 1997 Colorado Classic.

Bates had neck surgery in April of last year that was not successful, as it left his right leg numb and his right arm weak. He broke back into the winner's circle with a two-putt par on the 18th hole for a 15-under-par 273.

"This is far and away the greatest day in golf for me," said Bates, who earned $76,500 for the win. "When I won here before, that was fantastic. Back then, I thought I was going to be a rising star and thought it would be my only year on this tour. Even back in January, I was doubting that I could ever play out here and be competitive again."

Kuchar and Meeks posted 14-under 272s and were on the range hitting balls in preparation for a possible playoff. Bates was two shots ahead when he stepped on to the 17th tee. His six-iron approach got caught in the wind and left him some 80 feet for birdie, which he missed along with his par save, dropping the lead to one.

On the par-five 18th, Bates hit a three-wood down the fairway and followed with a three-iron for his second. He then punched a seven-iron from 125 yards out that landed 30 feet from the hole. Bates needed two putts to win the championship and left his first putt three feet short, but converted for the emotional victory.

"I knew that first was going to be a little slow up the hill, and I tried to get it close," said Bates. "I got over that putt and knew that I'd practiced it a thousand times. I felt good about it, but I lost it when it went in. For other guys it may not mean as much to win out here, but for me it's especially gratifying."

Bo Van Pelt and Jason Buha shared fourth place at 12-under-par 276 followed by a group of five golfers knotted at minus-11.

Bates looked like he was running away with the title with three birdies in his first six holes but Kuchar and Meeks steadily moved up the leaderboard.

Kuchar was flawless in his best finish as a professional with six birdies and no bogeys for a 66.

Meeks also carded four birdies compared to no bogeys on Sunday for a four- under 68.

Bates bogeyed the 10th but reclaimed the lost stroke with an up-and-down birdie from a greenside bunker at the par-five 12th.

Todd Barranger (69), Shane Bertsch (69), Deane Pappas (70), Conrad Ray (70) and Joe Daley (73) shared sixth at 11-under par.

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