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Jamie Lovemark virtually punched his ticket to the PGA Tour in 2011 with a win at the Nationwide Tour’s Mexico Open Bicentenary at El Bosque Country Club in Guanajuato over the weekend. The 22-year-old Rancho Santa Fe native shot a 4-under-par 68 in the final round to finish regulation tied with 54-hole co-leader B.J. Staten (69) at 12-under. The first hole of the sudden-death playoff was the par-5 18th, where Lovemark hit a 6-iron from 235 yards to three feet for an easy eagle while Staten hit into a hazard and made par. “It was definitely the best shot I’ve hit in a really long time,” Lovemark told PGATour.com of the 6-iron approach. “My caddie and I figured the ball would go 12 percent farther due to elevation and another eight percent because of adrenaline. I think it was half-luck, half-skill.” Professional victory No. 1 netted Lovemark $108,000, and thanks to four other top-five finishes in 2010, he now stands second on the Nationwide Tour money list with $247,351. Regardless of what happens for the remainder of the year, he’s nearly a lock to finish inside the top 25 and earn fully exempt status on the PGA Tour next season. “I can’t tell you how special it is for me to win out here,” he said. “I've knocked on the door a few times this year and to seal the deal feels so good.” Tied with Staten heading into the final round was Long Beach native Peter Tomasulo, who struggled on the last day with a 3-over-par 75 that left him tied for 14th at 6-under. Former UCLA All-American Kevin Chappell struggled through 54 holes with rounds of 71-71-74 but fired a 7-under-par 65 in the final round to finish in a tie for ninth. The winner of April’s Fresh Express Classic at TPC Stonebrae, Chappell is just behind Lovemark on the money list in third place with $212,921. After an outstanding tenure on the USC men’s golf team, Lovemark left the Trojans following his junior year to turn professional. He’s been able to play in some PGA Tour events by virtue of sponsor’s exemptions and has had mixed results with five missed cuts in eight starts. His most memorable PGA Tour effort was at last October’s Frys.com Open, where he shot a final-round 64 to qualify for a sudden-death playoff with Murrieta’s Rickie Fowler and Troy Mattseon. On the first playoff hole, Lovemark’s approach shot looked destined for a water hazard short of the green but somehow the ball miraculously bounced out and he made par to advance to the next hole. Matteson won with a birdie on that hole. Lovemark posted five under-par rounds at the PGA Tour’s Bob Hope Classic in La Quinta earlier this year, recording a tie for 48th there. Visit PGATour.com for complete results from the Nationwide Tour Mexico Open Bicentenary. ALSO SEE: Lovemark finishes third at Nationwide Tour Michael Hill New Zealand Open Bob Hope Classic fourth-round Notebook Lovemark turns professional |
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