Curt Byrum Wins Nike South Florida Classic Playoff

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Final Round Scores

POM NO BEACH, Fla. -- Curt Byrum parred the first playoff hole Sunday to overtake Stan Utley and earn his second career Nike Tour title at the $225,000 Nike South Florida Classic.

Byrum started the final round of the season-opening event in a two-way tie for second, three strokes behind the leader, Utley. Byrum played the back nine in 5-under-par and finished with a 67 to force the playoff.

Byrum, who was playing with Utley in the final group, birdied the last three holes of regulation to tie Utley. Utley, who was looking for his fourth Nike Tour victory, closed with a one-under-par 70.

“It is really satisfying to win this Tournament because this is a really tough golf course,” said Byrum. “It is great to get off to a good start. It sets me up for a good year and gives me a lot of confidence.

“Anytime you win you have to play good golf. I look at this as a stepping stone to getting back on the PGA Tour. It is great that the Tour gives us this opportunity.”

Utley, who led after the second and third rounds, took just 23 putts on Sunday. But his prowess on the greens wasn't enough to hold off the hard-charging Byrum.

“I am shocked that I didn’t win,” Utley said. “I thought it was going to turn out in my favour. He (Byrum) made a charge on the back nine. It was awesome that he shot such a good score today.

“I really wanted to make four or five birdies today because if I did I knew that no one could catch me. I played good enough to win, but I just came up a little short.”

Gibby Gilbert Jr., of Chattanooga, Tenn., who was tied with Byrum heading into the final round, shot an even-par 71. He held sole possession of third place with a 5-under-par total of 279.

Finishing alone in fourth with a four-day total of 284 was Evansville, Ind., native Brian Tennyson, who closed with a 70. His fourth place finish matches his best-ever on the Nike Tour.

A group of six players shared fifth place at 3-under-par 281 -- Guy Boros, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Matt Gogel, Overland Park, Kan.; Brad Elder, Austin, Tex.; Michael Allen, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Ed Humenik, Hobe Sound, Fla.; and Michael Clark, Dalton, Ga.

Boros, who started the final round tied for 34th, tied the course record with a 66 on Sunday. Utley, Byrum and Gene Fieger also matched the course record during the Tournament.

Four golfers tied for 11th at 282 -- David Peoples, Orlando, Fla.; Pat Bates, Boca Raton, Fla,; Gene Sauers, Savannah, Ga.; and Jeff Gove, of Seattle, Wash.

The Nike Tour’s next stop will be the $225,000 Nike Lakeland Classic, which will be played Thursday through next Sunday at Grasslands Golf and Country Club in Lakeland, Fla.