Kelly Gibson
struggled to a three-over 75 on Sunday, but it was good enough to earn a one-shot
win over Craig Perks at the Nike Oregon Classic. Gibson became the first wire-to-wire
winner on the Nike Tour this year and earned a first-prize of $40,000.
"It's difficult to win out here, period," said
Gibson, who won the 1991 Tri-Cities Open. "It was really a struggle out there."
Gibson never won on the PGA Tour from
1992-98 and is looking to regain his playing privileges for next year. He moved
into the top-10 on the Nike Tour money list with three events remaining and needs
to finish in the top-15 to qualify for next year's PGA Tour.
Perks, who played in the final group with Gibson, also struggled on Sunday. He
shot a two-over 74.
Jim Johnson was third
at seven-under, followed by Bob Heintz at minus-six.
