TURNESA HOLDS ON

Marc Turnesa bogeyed the final hole of the tournament, but the 30-year old Tour rookie still managed the first victory of his career on
Sunday at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin.

That’s because he all but won the tournament on the 17th hole.

Turnesa landed his tee shot on the par-3 within 10 feet of the cup and rolled in the putt to increase his lead over Matt Kuchar to two shots.

“Two is better than one. Four would have been better than two,” he joked afterward.

Turnesa had double-bogeyed the 17th in the second round but earned a much better result Sunday under pressure.

“I’m thinking ‘Hit it on land,’ ” he said of his thought process going to No. 17. “Friday, I had hit it in the water for a double.”

Turnesa then played the final hole knowing he just needed to bogey to win, and that’s what he did.

Kuchar finished second, just one shot back.

John Mallinger, Michael Allen and UNLV alum Chad Campbell tied for third at 22-under.

STREAK CONTINUES

Turnesa is the fifth consecutive winner of the Las Vegas Tour stop to earn his first career victory in the event.

Andre Stolz (2004), Wes Short Jr. (2005), Troy Matteson (2006) and George McNeill (2007) had won the previous four.

Prior to the streak, Jim Furyk (1995), Tiger Woods (1996) and Phil Tataurangi (2002) had all earned their first career win in Las Vegas.

OBSESS MUCH?

After signing his scorecard, Turnesa was led down the 18th green to accept the trophy and the check by two showgirls.

The ceremony included many Shriners and several other dignitaries and golf officials.

Local golf tournament emcee Jack Sheehan handled the presentation, introducing a variety of people to make brief comments and trying to interject humor as he moved things along.

However, he seemed fixated on the showgirls that were draped on the arm of Turnesa.

Sheehan made no fewer than five jokes about their looks and how lucky Turnesa was for getting to walk out with them.

OK, they were hot. We get it.

LATE COLLAPSE

Two former UNLV golfers were in contention late into Sunday afternoon, but each met his demise on the final hole.

First, Chad Campbell came to No. 18 at 23-under.

A par would have made him the clubhouse leader at a time when the leaders were tied at 24-under.

Campbell hit is second shot into the bunker next to the green, and then barely got out of the trap on his third shot. He had to settle for bogey.

Campbell still had the clubhouse lead, but at 22-under was not able to put much pressure on Turnesa and Kuchar as they came down the stretch.

Ryan Moore’s final hole was even more adventurous.

He hit his tee shot left of the fairway and into a hazard. The ball was unplayable, so by rule, he had to go back and hit a new shot after taking a penalty stroke.

Unbelievably, it happened again.

So, Moore was hitting five off the tee.

He finished the hole with a nine, and dropped all the way from a potential tie for third to a tie for 24th.

PARTY TIME

Matt Kuchar shot a final-round 67 to finish by himself in second place at 24-under.

For his efforts, he won $442,800.

He may want to ask for it in singles.

Kuchar’s caddie is having his bachelor party tonight in Las Vegas.

It’s quite possible much of that money will not be leaving the city.

ALMOST IDENTICAL

Chris DiMarco holed in from the fairway for eagle on the 16th hole in the third round.

He nearly did it again in the final round.